Speculative design research project, investigating autothrophy in humans
In this project I designed a light communication system for humans who will be able to partially photosynthesize, or in other words, become aututrophs. Through research and the study of algae as the future of food for humankind I found out that various organisms in the nature, have been benefiting from a symbiotic relationship with algae and they have been able to transform themselves into photosynthesizing autotrophs. In the speculation phase I imagined a future scenario in which humans choose to become part of the nature and not against it. They will be willing to erase or reverse part of their anthropocentric legacy of destruction. In this discursive research I aim to provoke critical thinking about the current climate change threats through the artifacts I developed in this project.
MESSAGE:
What if humans could photosynthesize to become part of the nature and not against it?
What if we become an object among other objects and not a subject in the center?
DISSONANCE:
Humans need to be genetically modified, depend on sun for their energy, eat no food except algae and say no to anthropocentric comforts of living.
DOMAIN:
What could be the one object that has the potential of erasing portions of our anthropocentric legacy on this planet?
RESEARCH: ALGAE
Despite being the most ideal food for humankind (UN, 1971), algae hasn’t really made it as a dietary product yet due to various reasons such as food neophobia.
FUTURE SCENARIO:
We have entered a new era in the history of our planet:
Post-Anthropocene.
For too long humans put their needs and their desires in the center of the world. This subjective perspective caused catastrophic ecological events which re-directed our attention towards radical changes. Through the study of “object Oriented Ontology” philosophy, a group of humans decided to reject their dominance over other living or non-living objects.
Extensive scientific research progress lead to the creation of “Autotroph Humans”. Humans for the first time can decide to be genetically modified into autotroph beings.
Autotrophy in humans has taken the form of an extreme response to the anthropocene era and the accelerated destruction that caused in our ecosystems. Autotrophs chose a different attitude towards food. They eat food only if necessary and only in the form of algae because its cultivation required minimum environmental impact. They work but only in the areas connected to nature.
Autotroph humans want to cut the noise of consumer culture and reconnect with nature and to re-evaluate their priorities in life. They believe that in the post-anthropocene era we can reverse the anthropocentric legacy by returning to origins and embracing new possibilities of living in a balanced symbiotic relationship with nature.
ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM:
A: Autotroph suit
micro-tubes are filled with algae that have been woven into a fabric, using “Biogarmentry”[1] technology that enables humans to live in a symbiotic relationship with algae in order to photosynthesize.
it will be recycled and re-purposed as material for algae fuel at the end of its life cycle.
[1] https://inhabitat.com/new-biofabricated-clothing-made-from-algae-goes-through-photosynthesis-just-like-plants/
B: Flying light hunter
receiver of light from the towers + Transmitter of signals in the emergency.
flies over your head and captures light from the rotating towers and shines it back at you. Recognizes its owner via their DNA matching.
primitive autotroph light language that allows them to communicate from near or far.
C: Rotating towers + algae farm
rotates around vertical axis and feeds light to the cloudy or shadowy parts of the city or land. Follows sun’s movement during the day.
cultivates algae using sun and water.
there are also gaps in the tower to allow sun inside for the algae photosynthesis.
D: Light ccs balloon
gets launched in the sky in the cloudy days or in the winter time when sun exposure is at minimum.
communicates with the rotating towers and feeds them light.
Indicates the shifts in seasons and weather.
E: Crystal cactus + Algae maker
communicates with the rotating towers to redirect sun beams at humans when not transporting. Change its position based on the time to maximize your sun intake.
cultivates spirulina for the daily food intake. Re-charges the flying light hunter.
PROOF OF CONCEPT:
As the proof of concept, I produced prototypes for a portion of the speculative project. Using Arduino Uno and various electronic elements as the necessary tools, I created a small interpretation of one component of light communication system. Focusing on the relationship between the reflective rotating towers and the flying light hunter, I created a capsule electronic design in the form of a light installation. The reflecting towers have been introduced as light sensors and the photosynthesizing humans as servos with reflective panels attached to them.
I envision that this small circuit would be multiplied by 100 and transformed into a large scale light installation in a dark room.
How it works:
The movements of each servo gets mapped correspondent to the difference in two light sensors at each given moment. Each servo has been assigned to react to the light value difference between two different sensors.
The tilt and pan servo moves independently and on a fixed rhythm and is supposed to manipulate the light reflection of the servos.
Circuit Elements:
• 5 servos
• 1 tilt and pan servo
• 5 light sensors
• 5 10k resistors
• 2 100 Micro-farad Capacitor • Arduino Uno
©21st Century
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Speculative design research project, investigating autothrophy in humans
How it works:
The movements of each servo gets mapped correspondent to the difference in two light sensors at each given moment. Each servo has been assigned to react to the light value difference between two different sensors.
The tilt and pan servo moves independently and on a fixed rhythm and is supposed to manipulate the light reflection of the servos.
Circuit Elements:
• 5 servos
• 1 tilt and pan servo
• 5 light sensors
• 5 10k resistors
• 2 100 Micro-farad Capacitor • Arduino Uno
©21st Century
Top