The Breath of Life

School: New York University Shanghai
Major: Interactive Media Arts
Advisor: Weixian Pan, Marcela Godoy

The Breath of Life is an interactive installation that explores the intersection of food technology, human biology, and digital organisms. The context situates in the technosphere, in which technology becomes the center of nature’s evolution. The installation speculates on a new food chain that brings together humans, mycelium, and digital organisms, creating a unique ecosystem that nourishes all participants.

As a food technology R&D team, The Breath of Life has created a system that analyzes data from human breathing in real time. The communication between each component occurs through wireless communication, another application of the omnipresent technosphere. The humidity from the breath nourishes the other participants in the new food chain. Mycelium, as a prosperous organism on Earth, a developing sustainable material, and a source of human food, becomes the most iconic product of the research team. The digital organism at the center of the installation represents the central position of technology and speculates the inseparable role of technology as a part of the new food chain. The audience can listen to the uplifting advertisement of the new food technology. The Breath of Life represents a new way of thinking about food and sustainability, where humans are no longer at the top of the food chain but are instead part of a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

Through the installation, the artist hopes to spark a dialogue about the future of food and the role that technology can play in shaping it. The Breath of Life invites participants to engage with the system, and to observe and reflect on the interplay between biology and technology. The Breath of Life stimulates contemplation on technology’s impact on the natural world.

The Breath of Life is a thought-provoking and immersive experience that challenges our assumptions about food, sustainability, and the relationship between humans and the environment. The exploration of the potential of technology creates new forms of sustenance and fosters a deeper connection with the natural world.