COUNTRY

the Netherlands

SYMBIOTIC FUTURES is a vision of the future in which we investigate the language of trees through fungi and live in symbiosis with the forest. The designed tools would make it possible to listen to communication between trees. Understanding communication can help us improve environmental health.

The Anthropocene is the current era in which we humans have a dominant influence on the climate and the environment. The disconnection of people from the rest of nature is an essential part that contributes to the destruction of our planet. This disconnect has to do with the concept we have of nature. This project explores a different concept / story through Speculative Design. A story in which we live in nature and explore the communication between trees to improve our environmental health.

Trees are associated with fungi. Fungi have networks of long threads hidden underground called mycelium. These networks form the internet of the forest and allow trees to communicate with each other. We investigate:
1. Which trees communicate?
2. What do they communicate?
3. What does that mean?

Tool # 1 is attached to trees. It shows which trees are connected and whether the tree is sending or receiving information.

Tool # 2 is connected to the mycorrhizal mycelium hotspot that is connected to the trees that communicate. The detected signals are converted into a soundscape that can be heard and recorded.

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