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FORMOSA
Project
Project for Art & Machine Learning 2024
Team: Ruby Wu, Sandra Chang
Year: 2024
Location: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
From micro glimpses to macro vistas: unveiling Taiwan's tapestry of ecosystems through the lens of its tiniest inhabitants.
TAIWAN DEM FROM SHUSTRIK-MAPS.COM
SHAPEFILE OF TAIWAN FROM SHUSTRIK-MAPS.COM
SATELLITE IMAGE OF TAIWAN FROM SHUSTRIK-MAPS.COM
GREEN LANDSCAPE OF TAIWAN FROM SHUSTRIK-MAPS.COM
DESERTIFIED LANDSCAPE OF TAIWAN FROM SHUSTRIK-MAPS.COM
Position
Peering through the microscopic, FORMOSA reimagines Taiwan's vast landscapes, where the mighty contours of mountains and the sprawling expanses of wetlands reveal their stories through the world's tiniest denizens. Before the island was a bustling nexus of human activity, it was a vibrant, untamed mosaic of diverse ecosystems—mountainous regions, lush forests, teeming wetlands, and vibrant marine environments—each a microcosm supporting an intricate web of life.
Taiwan's ecological diversity is monumental, housing more types of ecological niches per square mile than many renowned natural parks worldwide. This rich tapestry hosts an array of organisms, from towering trees to minute bacteria, each playing a pivotal role in their habitats.
In the present day, as Taiwan faces the pressing challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change—issues marked by rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns—the imperative to shift our perspective is clear. By viewing our vast, interconnected ecological systems through the lens of their smallest components, FORMOSA aims to foster a profound understanding and appreciation of our natural world. This shift is crucial for developing sustainable strategies that support the resilience and health of our planet’s diverse ecosystems. If we are to safeguard and cherish the natural beauty and biodiversity of Taiwan, rethinking our relationship with nature from the ground up is not just beneficial—it is necessary.
Physical Visualization
In the FORMOSA project, we bridge the microcosm with the macrocosm, translating the complex patterns of Taiwan's microorganisms into tangible art. By merging the invisible landscapes of bacteria and fungi with the visible terrains of mountains, forests, and coastlines, we have encapsulated these patterns within physical glass bricks. These glass artifacts stand as a testament to the unseen beauty and intricate ecological narratives that unfold across Taiwan's diverse ecosystems.
Informed by the delicate balance of nature and inspired by the necessity of sustainable interactions between human developments and natural landscapes, these glass bricks serve as a medium for dialogue. Each brick is a synthesis of nature's artistry and human creativity, embodying the merging of Taiwan’s ecological past with its present challenges.
In this era, the FORMOSA installations serve as a bio-indicator and an ecological archive, making visible the often overlooked influence of microscopic life on our broader ecological and cultural landscapes. As the planet warms and sea levels rise, these physical visualizations stand as resilient markers of time, echoing the ongoing cycles of growth, decay, and rebirth.
Embedded within each piece is a commitment to sustainability and a call to action—a reminder that the health of our microscopic companions is inseparably tied to the health of our entire ecosystem. Through this project, we aspire to inspire a new kinship between humans and microorganisms, fostering a deeper appreciation for the pivotal roles these tiny beings play in sustaining our world.
PHYSICAL VISUALIZATION OF MOUNTAIN REGIONS
PHYSICAL VISUALIZATION OF COASTAL AREAS
PHYSICAL VISUALIZATION OF URBAN AREAS
PHYSICAL VISUALIZATION OF WETLANDS
As altitudes shift and ecosystems breathe, our interactive model layers life's tapestry, weaving Taiwan's terrain with the threads of the microscopic.
Landscape Modeling
In an endeavor to map the contours of Taiwan's complex terrains, the FORMOSA project reconstructs the island’s diverse landscapes—from the rugged peaks of its central mountain range to the intricate networks of its coastal ecosystems. By stratifying these landscapes according to altitude, we establish a multi-layered model that not only delineates physical geography but also integrates the distinct microbial patterns unique to each ecological stratum.
This model is not static; it is an interactive canvas that invites exploration and manipulation. Visitors can navigate through different altitudinal layers, each embedded with dynamic representations of the microorganisms that thrive there. These layers are meticulously infused with digital and physical elements that respond to human interaction, allowing participants to visualize how microscopic life forms influence, and are influenced by, their environments.
As we look forward to the future, this interactive model serves as a critical educational tool, one that elucidates the effects of climate change on these microhabitats. The shifting patterns within the model anticipate the transformations that these landscapes may undergo, adapting to changing temperatures and sea levels. It offers a way for visitors to witness the potential impacts of environmental shifts in real-time, providing a tangible understanding of the delicate balance that sustains Taiwan’s rich biodiversity.
TAIWAN LANDSCAPE ACCORDING TO ALTITUDE
DIFFERENT LAYERS WITH PATTERNS
Through the lens of the micro, we reshape our macro vision: thriving together in the delicate dance of life and land.
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