P007 → Beyond the Silence
"Beyond the Silence" is a multifaceted project entered on an art installation that encourage reflection on plant blindness. Supported by a speculative 3D video and AR interactive publications, it revealed the consequences of humanity's detachment from the natural world. This project aims to provoke thought, stimulate conversations, and inspire action, driving awareness about plant blindness to the public.
The ecological crisis has become ever more pressing in recent years, which has led to a growing concern of the issue of plant blindness - humans fail to notice and appreciate the importance of plants in their surroundings. My design research kit has revealed an interesting fact that the empathy of the respondents increases when plants can audibly communicate. Therefore, I chose an interactive installation to amplify this distortion of the human-plant relationship. The concept was then deepened through a 1-minute video and publications. I hope to awaken respect and understanding for plants, and to reconnect with and value the plants around us.
000 Design Research Kit (DRK)
By gathering both qualitative and quantitative data through open-ended questions, scaling methods, creative contributions, multiple choices, this research aims to offer an open perspective on human-plant relationship.
Key findings:
1. The empathy of the respondents increases when plants can audibly communicate.
2. The respondents were giving them animal-like defences: offensive, defensive and retreat form.
001 HCI Installation
Click here to view the explainer video.
Inspired by DRK - when plants can communicate audibly, respondents' empathy increases. This work amplifies the neglect of plants through physical interaction. It invited audience to rethink their relationship with plants, aiming to provoke reflection on their behaviour towards nature.
The installation features a glass enclosure with grass inside. Integrated within are LED lights, a distance sensor, a speaker, and a LED screen. Above the grass is a mechanically-controlled foot, with a backdrop screen displaying a 3D futuristic garden.
002 Motion Design
In 2050, nature witnessed a profound genetic metamorphosis. As a response to the escalating crisis of 'plant blindness', plants evolved to symbiotically intertwine with steel and glass.
Once silent, they now manifested in three distinct stances: offensive, defensive, and retreat. This serves to warn against human numbness and indifference, and to question the supremacy of human beings.
003 AR Ticket
The AR Tickets, as a component of the project, offer the audience an augmented reality experience to immerse into a future garden. Users can activate the experience by scanning the QR code (Using “Adobe Aero” App) present on each ticket.
004 Posters
The poster series is designed to promote the upcoming exhibition, and it is designed for strategic placements in art galleries, universities. By offering a tantalising peek into the exhibition, it aims to attract curiosity and boost attendance.