An Enlichenment

Lichens as an bioindicators of "Well-being"

An Enlichenment: A Vital Recolonization in a Capitalist Crisis Era is an immersive and interactive journey which was presented in IKLECTIK Art Lab, the center of London. This project was informed by the history of the 1952 Great Smog of London and the consequential demise of lichens and its recolonization of the city, linking lichens, urban life, ecological balance, and the indigenous philosophy of “Buen Vivir” (Living Well).

This art installation affects the growth status of digital lichens through detecting real-time data of air quality, it can also present the local environmental status with the growth of lichens based on online data of different areas of the world. It transcends geographical boundaries, offering a comprehensive view of the interconnectedness of pollution and ecological vitality.

For millions of years, Lichens have colonized the planet. They are mini ecosystems where multiple microorganisms (through symbiosis) function as a single sustainable unit mainly comprised of a mutually beneficial collaboration or parasitic relationship between fungi and algae. Its mode of existence sheds light on the harmonious coexistence and interaction between humans and nature.
Moreover, human existence might depend on their survival. They are ideal pollutant bioindicators because of their sensitivity to air pollution. We have noticed lichens in different states of growth in different streets of London, collected the samples in different neighborhoods and observed the lives of the people from those areas. It made us question: “What is living well?”. “Buen Vivir” (sumac kawsay)— a philosophy and social movement that puts “living in harmony with nature and with one another” into practice — is invoked to further rethink our lives. An Enlichenment aims to be not only a bioindicator of capitalist pollutants but also of Buen Vivir (Living Well).

An Enlichenment serves as a living enlightenment to environmental consciousness. By the feature of lichens as bioindicators, the project provides a real-time visual representation of air quality, reflecting the health of our planet. The cyclical growth and recolonization of lichens underscore the potential for renewal and restoration of ecosystems. Through its global mapping feature, the project contributes to a broader understanding of environmental interconnectivity, transcending geographical boundaries.
It also encourages individuals to reflect on their relationship with the environment. The narrative of lichens, from near extinction to resurgence, becomes a metaphor for societal resilience and the potential for positive change. By fostering a connection between audiences and the environment, the project aims to inspire a collective sense of responsibility for the well-being of our planet. The immersive and interactive journey linking Lichens, the historicity of capitalism and London’s pollution, and the indigenous philosophy of “Buen Vivir” into the narrative, inspires a broader understanding of sustainability that goes beyond economic considerations.

London

2021-2022

#Plant #Ecosystem #Interactive art

https://wilburwangwang.cargo.site/5-1

I believe that culture and industry are generative; their sustainability lies not only in preserving existing realities but in being situated in fertile ground for continuous generation and mobility. This extends to interconnections within human societies—constructivist in nature—and the relations between humans and vibrant matters in nature.
Hence, this mechanism should focus on the complexity of each matter (people, events, objects) and their internal connectivity. I prefer to envision it as an unfinished framework, allowing for the fluidity of relationships and a constant reshaping of culture and industry within it. Therefore, no part in this mechanism can be isolated, and a temporal perspective cannot be ignored.
It's worth noting that, to this day, I don't think we can exclude digital media from these matters. It has permeated the production and consumption of societal reality. Its characteristics can even help in liberating cultural narratives and production from a singular narrator's perspective, empowering individuals (including humans, objects and other beings) to play a more productive role in cultural production.

The core of this project questions the human-centric notion of "well-being": Is it true prosperity to possess wealth, live in city centers, and indulge in various modern facilities and delivery services? Perhaps the survival status of lichens is a truer reflection of the human habitat.
For millions of years, Lichens have colonized the planet. Their ephemeral presence can be found in the depths of the ocean, volcanic rush and sometimes in metropolitan cities. These lowly microorganisms have survived and gone undisturbed, at least until the last century, the Great Smog of London in 1952. To most humans, Lichens go unnoticed and offer no profit value in this modern capitalist era we are in.
However, the transient disappearance of lichens in London and the 12,000 people killed by the toxic mist is a warning. It reminds us to seek a "better life" not merely through the negative resource consumption of capitalism. By highlighting lichens as bioindicators, this project encourages reflection on our human existence and what should truly be valued, using the wisdom and perspective of nature and plants.

Yes, I am currently working as an interdisciplinary artist with a community in London which facing oppression from speculative development. In this ongoing project, I will attempt to cope with the negative effects of gentrification on the sustainability of the community through co-creation with community members. I also hope that this project will re-motivate the everyday creativity of the city's residents and encourage them to reconnect with their environment through practice.