Are we truly interacting with nature, or are we engaging with a human-made representation of nature?
Büscher, B. (2021). The nonhuman turn: Critical reflections on alienation, entanglement and nature under capitalism
If our simulations become indistinguishable from reality, might we prefer these virtual worlds to the real, potentially leading us to neglect the actual environments they aim to protect?
What about storytelling? Connecting with something so distant through lived experiences and built connections of others.
How do we extend the co-design process to include nature itself, not just as a subject but as a collaborator?
How can virtual experiences of nature both authentically connect people to the environment and encourage active conservation without commodifying the natural world?
Discussing the rather obvious benefits
Seanergy Digital Art Gallery significantly enhances accessibility to oceanic experiences, addressing physical and geographical limitations that make such encounters rare or impossible for many. By requiring only a connected device, Seanergy democratizes access to the ocean's beauty and conservation messages, making it available to anyone, anywhere. The gallery goes beyond traditional educational boundaries with interactive expositions like Cristina Zenato's shark conservation mission, where visitors virtually remove a hook from a shark's jaw. This unique, otherwise impossible experience highlights the contrast between humane conservation practices and the harmful consequences of recreational fishing.
Research by Giovanna Calogiuri and colleagues supports the idea that immersive virtual experiences can elicit emotional and cognitive responses akin to those triggered by actual nature. While these virtual interactions cannot fully replace the tactile and holistic engagement of being in the wild, they provide a crucial connection for those who might otherwise be disconnected from such transformative natural experiences.
Diving deeper
One critical inquiry is whether creating a digital space for oceanic experiences further alienates us from real nature. While Seanergy offers an alternative for those unable to physically explore the ocean, it is worth considering whether this virtual engagement fosters genuine connections or merely serves as entertainment. The concern extends to whether such a digital gallery, despite its noble intentions, might inadvertently commodify nature, reducing the intricate beauty and complexity of marine ecosystems to consumable digital artifacts.
Furthermore, the concept of co-designing with nature itself challenges traditional human-centric approaches. How do we extend the collaborative process to include nature as a co-creator, not merely a subject? We can aim to explore the potential of integrating real-time data from ocean sensors, transforming them into dynamic visual or auditory art forms that reflect the ocean's current state... But that can't be the only way, right? So, how far can we go to minimize human interpretative biases and allow nature to 'speak' through the digital medium?
Indeed, it raises questions about the authenticity of such interactions: Are we truly understanding nature's message, or are we imposing our perspectives onto it? The endeavor to bridge technology and nature requires not only technological innovation but also a fundamental rethinking of what it means to communicate with the natural world. Hence, this exploration should not only be about creating a dialogue but also about understanding the complexities and limitations of interpreting nature's voice through human-designed systems.
Selected references...
A Snapshot of Seanergy's Development as of May 15, 2024
Here, I share insights into the current exhibitions, the artistic process, and the collaborative efforts that shape our ocean-themed digital gallery. This page captures a moment in time, freezing the gallery's development as of May 15, 2024. Please note that some links and content may change or become unavailable in the future as Seanergy evolves.
We are a generation raised by technology, I’m wondering if another tech platform is really the answer we need.
Can we develop a methodology or a technology that minimizes our interpretative biases, allowing nature to speak more directly in our digital creations?
Does this virtual interaction with nature merely entertain, or does it foster a genuine engagement with our environment?
Are we truly understanding the message of nature, or are we merely imposing our human perspectives onto it?
