Waag Open: Electric Garden

In the hope that technology will from the climate crisis, millions are being invested in artificial intelligence technologies. At the same time the entire IT industry is already generating 900 megatonnes of CO2 per year. That is seven times the emissions of the whole of the Netherlands by 2023. Technology and our ecosystem don't seem to mix well. How can technology and nature work together to save our planet?

Artist Sunjoo Lee researches building an electricity producing garden. As long as the ecosystem in her garden thrives, it can generate electricity. During this Waag Open in July, we will create our very own Electric Garden in the Waag! During an engaging workshop, Sunjoo will take you into the world of regenerative technology and teach you how nature can act as a sustainable energy source.

Programme

19:30 - 19:45 hrsWelcome & introduction 19:45 - 21:30 hrsWorkshop Electric Garden

About Electric Garden

Electric Garden creatively explores the collaborative possibilities between natural ecosystems and digital systems. The garden produces electricity by harnessing the metabolism of anaerobic bacteria living in wet soil, using a technology called Microbial Fuel Cells. Each container acts as a battery and is equipped with electrodes that harvest electrons emitted by the bacteria. The plants and insects in the garden feed the bacteria, allowing electricity generation to continue as long as the ecosystem thrives.

About Sunjoo Lee

Sunjoo Lee is an interdisciplinary artist with a fascination in diverging the use of electronics and digital tools beyond human interest. Her works explore topics such as more-than-human philosophy, emergence, biomimicry, future forms of symbiosis, and permacomputing.

Accessibility

If you are tight on funds and want to participate in this event, please get in touch with maro [@] waag [dot] org.