NEONATURE
NEONATURE
NEONATURE
NEONATURE
Proof of concept digital forest
Proof of concept digital forest
Proof of concept digital forest
MEDIA ART AS RECONNECTION
MEDIA ART AS RECONNECTION
MEDIA ART AS RECONNECTION
MEDIA ART AS RECONNECTION
Research, visualizations, and multi-sensory installation
August 2023 — Current
Research, visualizations, and multi-sensory installation
August 2023 — Current
Research, visualizations, and multi-sensory installation
August 2023 — Current
How can immersive and interactive digital environments be used as wellness solutions in high density urban areas where green space is limited? Can we use media art to design spaces that bring users back to the present moment to regulate nervous systems?
The restorative power of forest environments on our physiological well-being is well-documented, fostering relaxation and meditative states. In this project, nature is deconstructed to its core elements and reassembled into installations using documented real world captures and sensory stimulations, providing subconscious feelings of ease. Based in Miami, a city facing urgent ecological challenges amidst deforestation, this initiative serves as both a sanctuary and an archive, preserving the essence of natural sounds and local biodiversity.
In the absence of accessible nature, how can we seamlessly integrate the experience of forest bathing into our urban landscapes? This idea of utilizing nature’s inspiration for wellness is further explored through the integration of media art into architectural design and how it can be implemented into our daily commutes.
How can immersive and interactive digital environments be used as wellness solutions in high density urban areas where green space is limited? Can we use media art to design spaces that bring users back to the present moment to regulate nervous systems?
The restorative power of forest environments on our physiological well-being is well-documented, fostering relaxation and meditative states. In this project, nature is deconstructed to its core elements and reassembled into installations using documented real world captures and sensory stimulations, providing subconscious feelings of ease. Based in Miami, a city facing urgent ecological challenges amidst deforestation, this initiative serves as both a sanctuary and an archive, preserving the essence of natural sounds and local biodiversity.
In the absence of accessible nature, how can we seamlessly integrate the experience of forest bathing into our urban landscapes? This idea of utilizing nature’s inspiration for wellness is further explored through the integration of media art into architectural design and how it can be implemented into our daily commutes.
How can immersive and interactive digital environments be used as wellness solutions in high density urban areas where green space is limited? Can we use media art to design spaces that bring users back to the present moment to regulate nervous systems?
The restorative power of forest environments on our physiological well-being is well-documented, fostering relaxation and meditative states. In this project, nature is deconstructed to its core elements and reassembled into installations using documented real world captures and sensory stimulations, providing subconscious feelings of ease. Based in Miami, a city facing urgent ecological challenges amidst deforestation, this initiative serves as both a sanctuary and an archive, preserving the essence of natural sounds and local biodiversity.
In the absence of accessible nature, how can we seamlessly integrate the experience of forest bathing into our urban landscapes? This idea of utilizing nature’s inspiration for wellness is further explored through the integration of media art into architectural design and how it can be implemented into our daily commutes.
Scientists at the Czech University of Life Sciences sent a group of 15 people into a nature reserve for 30-minute bathing sessions. Using LiDAR scans, they developed a virtual twin in Unreal Engine of the same forest location, enhanced with spatial audio recordings. 20 of the participants spent 30 minutes in the virtual forest. Questionnaires assessing the participants’ emotional states revealed no significant difference between the two experiences. Virtual forests can create accessibility to forests for as many as 5 billion people, who might live in urban environments by 2030. Forestry researcher, Martin Hůla, states, “I was aware that the forest was not real. However, the experience was immersive, and it was easy for me to forget that I was in an experimental room.”
Scientists at the Czech University of Life Sciences sent a group of 15 people into a nature reserve for 30-minute bathing sessions. Using LiDAR scans, they developed a virtual twin in Unreal Engine of the same forest location, enhanced with spatial audio recordings. 20 of the participants spent 30 minutes in the virtual forest. Questionnaires assessing the participants’ emotional states revealed no significant difference between the two experiences. Virtual forests can create accessibility to forests for as many as 5 billion people, who might live in urban environments by 2030. Forestry researcher, Martin Hůla, states, “I was aware that the forest was not real. However, the experience was immersive, and it was easy for me to forget that I was in an experimental room.”
Scientists at the Czech University of Life Sciences sent a group of 15 people into a nature reserve for 30-minute bathing sessions. Using LiDAR scans, they developed a virtual twin in Unreal Engine of the same forest location, enhanced with spatial audio recordings. 20 of the participants spent 30 minutes in the virtual forest. Questionnaires assessing the participants’ emotional states revealed no significant difference between the two experiences. Virtual forests can create accessibility to forests for as many as 5 billion people, who might live in urban environments by 2030. Forestry researcher, Martin Hůla, states, “I was aware that the forest was not real. However, the experience was immersive, and it was easy for me to forget that I was in an experimental room.”
This project is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), otherwise known as forest bathing, a concept that promotes bodily relaxation and a conscious state of mind. Forest environments activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Spending time in nature reduces cortisol levels, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and enhances immune function by boosting natural killer (NK) cells, which are crucial for fighting infections.
This project is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), otherwise known as forest bathing, a concept that promotes bodily relaxation and a conscious state of mind. Forest environments activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Spending time in nature reduces cortisol levels, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and enhances immune function by boosting natural killer (NK) cells, which are crucial for fighting infections.
This project is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), otherwise known as forest bathing, a concept that promotes bodily relaxation and a conscious state of mind. Forest environments activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Spending time in nature reduces cortisol levels, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and enhances immune function by boosting natural killer (NK) cells, which are crucial for fighting infections.
In the concept diagram above, the left side represents the tense energy of the people stepping into the space. The more time spent in the digital forest, the more regulated the nervous system becomes as the body transitions into restful state. For this experience, we are analyzing the five human senses [sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste] to figure out what specifically causes a positive reaction to the body and how can we simulate it with the aid of technology.
In the concept diagram above, the left side represents the tense energy of the people stepping into the space. The more time spent in the digital forest, the more regulated the nervous system becomes as the body transitions into restful state. For this experience, we are analyzing the five human senses [sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste] to figure out what specifically causes a positive reaction to the body and how can we simulate it with the aid of technology.
In the concept diagram above, the left side represents the tense energy of the people stepping into the space. The more time spent in the digital forest, the more regulated the nervous system becomes as the body transitions into restful state. For this experience, we are analyzing the five human senses [sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste] to figure out what specifically causes a positive reaction to the body and how can we simulate it with the aid of technology.
In the diagram above, the left side represents the tense energy of the people stepping into the space. The more time spent in the digital forest, the more regulated the nervous system becomes and a feeling of ease takes over the body. For this experience, we are analyzing the five human senses [sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste] to figure out what specifically causes a positive reaction to the body and how can we simulate interactions with the aid of technology.
Southern Live Oak leaves and Bidens Alba flowers are commonly seen growing in the South Florida landscape. By portraying various local species, the viewer can feel at home seeing a recognizable flower and perhaps even curious to perceive it in a new digital form.
The term soft fascination is when the brain naturally draws its attention to something that doesn't demand concentration. We use this attention when we are in nature. As the floating plants gently glide, we have a chance to experience this phenomenon.
Southern Live Oak leaves and Bidens Alba flowers are commonly seen growing in the South Florida landscape. By portraying various local species, the viewer can feel at home seeing a recognizable flower and perhaps even curious to perceive it in a new digital form.
The term soft fascination is when the brain naturally draws its attention to something that doesn't demand concentration. We use this attention when we are in nature. As the floating plants gently glide, we have a chance to experience this phenomenon.
Southern Live Oak leaves and Bidens Alba flowers are commonly seen growing in the South Florida landscape. By portraying various local species, the viewer can feel at home seeing a recognizable flower and perhaps even curious to perceive it in a new digital form.
The term soft fascination is when the brain naturally draws its attention to something that doesn't demand concentration. We use this attention when we are in nature. As the floating plants gently glide, we have a chance to experience this phenomenon.
Southern Live Oak leaves and Bidens Alba flowers are commonly seen growing in the South Florida landscape. By portraying various local species, the viewer can feel at home seeing a recognizable flower and perhaps even curious to perceive it in a new digital form.
The term soft fascination is when the brain naturally draws its attention to something that doesn't demand concentration. We use this attention when we are in nature. As the floating plants gently glide, we have a chance to experience this phenomenon.
For the audio component, CHROLIK produced an eight minute composition using field recordings in which all the audio was recorded in the South Florida and compiled together to create a "forest chorus". The audio is synced to the 3D environment rendered in Unreal Engine, meaning the track begins once the sun rises. Chirping birds set the tone for the morning and as the sun sets, crickets start to hum louder and louder.
For the audio component, CHROLIK produced an eight minute composition using field recordings in which all the audio was recorded in the South Florida and compiled together to create a "forest chorus". The audio is synced to the 3D environment rendered in Unreal Engine, meaning the track begins once the sun rises. Chirping birds set the tone for the morning and as the sun sets, crickets start to hum louder and louder.
For the audio component, CHROLIK produced an eight minute composition using field recordings in which all the audio was recorded in the South Florida and compiled together to create a "forest chorus". The audio is synced to the 3D environment rendered in Unreal Engine, meaning the track begins once the sun rises. Chirping birds set the tone for the morning and as the sun sets, crickets start to hum louder and louder.
To activate the sense of touch and further the audio, a MIDI controller utilizing conductivity links humans to living plants by harnessing the natural electromagnetic properties present in living organisms. This allows for the user to interact and become part of the "forest chorus" when coming in contact with the leaves of the plants.
To activate the sense of touch and further the audio, a MIDI controller utilizing conductivity links humans to living plants by harnessing the natural electromagnetic properties present in living organisms. This allows for the user to interact and become part of the "forest chorus" when coming in contact with the leaves of the plants.
To activate the sense of touch and further the audio, a MIDI controller utilizing conductivity links humans to living plants by harnessing the natural electromagnetic properties present in living organisms. This allows for the user to interact and become part of the "forest chorus" when coming in contact with the leaves of the plants.
THE NEXT STEP
THE NEXT STEP
THE NEXT STEP
The proof of concept set the precedent for this project, so now to actualize this experience, CHROLIK is working on partnerships to develop the foundation necessary to bring this to life. What started as a architectural thesis project, NeoNature will soon be activated.
The proof of concept set the precedent for this project, so now to actualize this experience, CHROLIK is working on partnerships to develop the foundation necessary to bring this to life. What started as a architectural thesis project, NeoNature will soon be activated.
The proof of concept set the precedent for this project, so now to actualize this experience, CHROLIK is working on partnerships to develop the foundation necessary to bring this to life. What started as a architectural thesis project, NeoNature will soon be activated.
