Thaw Out

Digital Artworks

2023

Multi-scalar and morphologically heterogeneous, these images visualize a post-material tomorrow, yet to be understood, where building materials no longer pollute the natural environment, but coexist peacefully. Conventional structures are replaced with layers of membranes, fractal biomorphic shells, and naturally-regulated interior atmospheres. Some scenes, at a glance, resemble an unnaturally grown venus fly trap, cellular and column-like, translucent in its leafing and folding to reveal a botanical network inside. The architectures turn to basic core biology, existing in soft geometric and material growths that are amoebic, gentle, and womb-like. 

The physicist Dennis Gabor invented holography in 1940, 20 years before science caught up with him to build the first laser in 1960. Gabor imagined a future before the understanding and technology even existed for his invention. Similarly, visual futures can be imagined and studied before being immediately understood.

“THE FUTURE CANNOT BE FORESEEN, BUT FUTURES CAN BE INVENTED.”

— Dennis Gabor

The successive nature of this type of exploration mandates a pluralistic perception of nature and its relationship with the built environment, accelerating the search for a more harmonious way of co-existence.

In addition to envisioning material futures, the images serve to critique the current vogue of biomorphic expressionism. The imagined structures toe the line between utopian and dystopian. Depending on the sociopolitical or ecological context in which they could exist, the bright soft colours and lush plants could indicate hope, but there is also the danger of an oppressive or totalitarian tone in the looming, towering figures.

This sense of dissonance is also felt in the organic and built vessels that are inexplicably different in scale and origin. At a time when the internet is quickly becoming supersaturated with garish and polished ai concepts, THAW OUT puts focus on conceptual architecture through a nuanced lens with a subtle and delicate aggregation of forms and colours that provoke and stimulate, rather than ascertain any notion of finality. 

ONGOING

These artworks are being updated in real time on Instagram: @svima_sketch