Thijs Biersteker x Natural History Museum
Econario
A robotic plant that shows how our political choices today, impact biodiversity tomorrow.
Econario, is a 5 meter robotic, data-driven plant that grows or withers based on biodiversity scenario datasets, visualising how today’s policy choices shape the ecosystems of tomorrow.
Created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum London, the work is powered by the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), one of the most comprehensive global measures of ecosystem integrity.
CREDITS
Artistic Lead
Thijs Biersteker
Scientific Lead
Prof Andy Purvis and Dr Adriana De Palma
Studio Director
Sophie de Krom
Technical Engineer
Tom Bekkers
THE EXPERIENCE
By translating the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) into movement, Econario transforms facts into feelings. Visitors can experience how today’s political, societal, and personal choices ripple into the future of our planet.
The installation invites reflection, empathy, and dialogue, revealing that every decision, from national policy to individual action, shapes the ecosystems of tomorrow. Since its debut in 2022, Econario has travelled the world, from the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal to the World Government Summit in Dubai and the G20 Exhibition in India, sparking dialogue and inspiring action on the future of our ecosystems.
Technical Build
Bastiaan Kennedy, Sander van Gelder
Technical Development
Jochem Esser, JBS Technics
Frontend developer
Bas van Oerle
With special thanks to
The Natural History Museum London, Sara Contu, Kunstkerk Dordrecht, Boris Gunst, Nathan Pottier, Madelief Broekman
“Even with all the data we have, it’s still hard to imagine what the future might look like. ‘Econario’ makes that future visible. Using BII data, we can glimpse the worlds we’re creating, and perhaps find a small spark of hope if we choose the right path.”
| EXHIBITIONS |
| Dutch Design Week (NL), 2025 |
| COP15 Montreal (CA), 2023 |
| G20 Exhibition India (IN), 2023 |
| World Government Summit Dubai (UAE), 2023 |
| Kunstkerk Dordrecht (NL), 2022 |
THE DATA
The artwork is powered by the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) of the Natural History Museum.
The BII, one of the clearest indicators of ecosystem integrity worldwide, is developed by biodiversity researchers Professor Andy Purvis and Dr Adriana De Palma. It measures biodiversity change using abundance data on plants, fungi and animals worldwide. The Index shows how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human pressures such as land use change and intensification.
Credits film/photography
Director: Jerom Fischer
DP: Thomas Fibbe
AC: Harvey Pieper
Grading: Jan Maarten de Wit
Sound: End of Time
Photography: Thijs Biersteker, Jerome Fischer, Cas Kerrsens