"ORIGIN" is a digital sculpture created by multimedia artist Thijs Biersteker that visualizes environmental changes affecting cacao trees. The sculpture reflects real-time conditions such as sap flow during rain, air quality changes, and tree responses to heatwaves. This installation emphasizes the fragility of the cacao supply chain impacted by climate change. Collaborating with the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Biersteker connects data with nature, using sensors to create a translucent representation of the tree. Other works like "WITHER" and "ECONTINUUM" address deforestation and conversations among tree roots, respectively.
"When it rains in Indonesia, you see the sap flow through the sculpture in real time. When the air quality shifts, the flows respond. During a heatwave, the tree visibly struggles. This real-time installation reveals just how fragile the cacao supply chain has become."
"Extreme weather, habitat destruction, and other issues mean that global food resiliency is increasingly threatened. Data provides unique insights into changes on the ground, illuminating environmental impacts."
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