Homo ex Humo

(2020)

Homo ex Humo (Man from dirt) is a memento mori for nature, an interactive sculpture about the human disconnect from nature.

In the past few centuries humankind has been systematically removing itself from nature. Today we live in a society where “nature” is understood as synonyms for “plants”, “parks”, or “landscapes”, all of which are sculpted by human hands and must attempt to exist on human terms, at timescales that are ever faster. This installation inverses that relationship, and asks what it would feel like if humans existed in the slow realm, on plant terms.

The installation consists of a series of robotic branches protruding from a wall. They react slowly to human presence in the room, and demand people to adjust their movement to exist on their terms, which mimic real natural responses of plants. A failure to slow down will harm the branches and only as the harmful movements stop, will the branches begin to heal again. If a slow co-presence can be achieved the branches will thrive and cast the room in a beautiful lumia light.

Custom 3D printed parts, brass sheet, brass mesh, wire, cables, Arduino Nano IoT 33, AK9753 sensor, LED, motors, custom code.

Shows

ITP Spring Show 2020
New York University, New York.