Future Botanica

Future Botanica is Polymorf‘s augmented reality art experience that invites participants to collaboratively design speculative ecosystems in dialogue with artificial intelligence. By merging virtual creations with physical landscapes, the project highlights how every intervention in an ecosystem influences its broader dynamics. It reflects on the tension between longstanding Western concepts of nature and the rapidly evolving technological and cultural frameworks that reshape how we understand the natural world. The experience consists of a smartphone application and a physical installation, the latter of which can be encountered independently without the use of a device.

Through the act of placing individually generated plants or botanical structures into real environments, users explore their expectations, concerns, and aspirations regarding the future of nature. The work functions as a collective inquiry, gathering insights and perspectives across generations to form a shared narrative about ecological transitions. In doing so, Future Botanica encourages visitors to consider how emerging technologies might not only transform ecological thinking but also open new ways to imagine and shape the natural environments to come.

Technology

Shows

Dubai Future Forum / Dubai, United Arab Emirates / 18 to 19-11-2025
31st Geneva International Film Festival GIFF / Geneva, Switzerland / 31-10 to 07-11-2025
Silbersalz Festival / Halle (Saale), Germany / 29-10 to 02-11-2025
BFI London Film Festival / London, United Kingdom / 09 to 19-10-2025
Nederlands Film Festival NFF / Utrecht, The Netherlands / 25-09 to 02-10-2025
SXSW / Austin, Texas, USA / 7 to 15-3-2025
IDFA DocLab at Droog / Amsterdam, The Netherlands / 14 to 24-11-2024
Dutch Design Week at Mu Hybrid Arthouse / Eindhoven, The Netherlands / 18 to 26-10-2024

Credits

Lead design & project management: Marcel van Brakel.
Lead design & science integration: Hazal Ertukan.

Architectural development, AI integration & simulation: Luciano Pinna. Unity development & AR integration: Daan Hobbel. 3D design: Ashley Haagsma, Petr Tiurin. 3D design & animation: Hauke Boer. AI & design research: Sacha Holzken. Graphic design: Daniël Maarleveld. Sound design & Installation: Mark Meeuwenoord.

Executive producer: Corine Meijers.
Sales and partnerships: Marieke Nooren.
Digital campaign: Nienke Huitenga.

Special thanks to: Artis Amsterdam, University of Utrecht, Botanical Gardens, UU, and the Urban Futures Studio. Botanical Gardens University Utrecht, Peter Boonstra and Ivo van der Weijden.