As global leaders gather at the Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, Dutch ecological artist Thijs Biersteker is sparking conversations through his groundbreaking installation 'Fungal Faculty' – a visceral bridge between environmental science and human emotion.
The interactive artwork, displayed at the June 24-26 forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality, translates real-time climate data into pulsating visual patterns and organic soundscapes. Sensors tracking atmospheric CO2 levels and soil moisture create an ever-changing digital ecosystem that physically responds to viewers' movements.
'We've become numb to climate statistics,' Biersteker told KhabarAsia. 'My work lets people experience environmental shifts through their bodies first – the understanding comes later.' The installation's mushroom-inspired design references fungi's crucial role in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
Forum attendees from 90 countries and regions have engaged with the piece, including business leaders exploring sustainable innovation and academics studying climate communication. The work aligns with China's ecological civilization goals, demonstrating how art can advance environmental stewardship through emotional resonance rather than pure data.
