Bioplastic, Bacterial cellulose

Bosque

Inspired by the landscape of Governors island, BOSQUE, is an interpretation of a forest, emphasising the use of alternative, eco-friendly materials. As humans exploit forests around the world, this work reimagines a fictitious forest that is built from man-made biodegradable materials and natural invasive species.

What if forests could regenerate at the same pace we are deforesting?

This installation aims to bring attention to alternative raw goods and the supply chain impact on the environment. The fabrication of this project was made with in collaboration with nature. Wood, bacterial cellulose and natural based polymers, produced by or derived from living organisms and microbes, rather than from petroleum, the traditional source of polymers.
The accompanying soundscape features a blend of natural sounds recorded on the island, such as mockingbirds, seagulls, and ocean waves. BOSQUE is a fully immersive experience that evolves with the progression of the day.

Making process

Bosque was created during an art residency with NYLAAT in Governors Island, NY. The fabrication of this project was made in collaboration with nature. Wood + natural based polymers, derived from living organisms, rather than from petroleum, the traditional source of polymers. “Bosque” is an exploration of the duality between inside and outside, peace and disharmony, the natural and the artificial.

At its core, Bosque is a commentary on the environmental impact of our consumption patterns and the urgent need for sustainable practices. The use of biodegradable materials such as natural invasive species, bacterial cellulose, and biobased polymers not only highlights the potential for eco-friendly alternatives but also raises awareness about the potential of biomaterials to remediate habitats. The installation invites viewers to consider the broader implications of their choices and the collective responsibility we share in preserving our natural and microscopic world. As we shift our perspective from the microscopic to the macroscopic, we must ponder: Can these diminutive ecosystems offer solutions to the environmental damage brought by humanity?

The accompanying soundscape features a blend of natural sounds recorded on the island, such as mockingbirds, seagulls and ocean waves. Bosque is a fully immersive experience that evolved with the progression of the day.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.