Summer Davos returns to Tianjin Municipality in the northern part of the Chinese mainland from June 24 to 26, bringing together global leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers. The Dutch ecological artist Thijs Biersteker debuts his immersive installation 'Fungal Faculty.'
Blending data, technology and storytelling, 'Fungal Faculty' translates rising carbon levels, temperature shifts and ecological signals into a living network of projected visuals, soundscapes and interactive fungal structures. Visitors navigate a forest of glowing mycelium, each node pulsing with real-time climate data from cities around the globe.
Rather than charts and graphs, Biersteker invites participants to feel the rhythm of our planet's biosphere. Sensors capture live environmental measurements, fueling generative animations and responsive soundscapes that dramatize the accelerating pace of climate change in a language that resonates on an emotional level.
Biersteker explains that environmental statistics often feel abstract, but experiencing a fungal network pulsing with data makes the stakes visceral. His goal is to spark conversations that bridge science, policy and personal action through art as activism.
With Summer Davos hosting sessions on sustainable finance, green tech and global partnerships, 'Fungal Faculty' underscores how creative approaches can amplify policy debates and inspire new solutions. Whether you're a traveler seeking immersive art, a tech enthusiast drawn to data-driven innovation or a changemaker championing sustainability, this installation offers a fresh way to connect with our shared climate future.
Reference(s):
Artist at Summer Davos: Turning climate data into public emotion
cgtn.com
