Nxt Museum
Econtinuum
[taggline]
CREDITS
Artistic Lead
Thijs Biersteker
Scientific Collaboration
Prof. Stefano Mancuso
Studio Director
Sophie de Krom
Sculpting
Thijs Biersteker
THE EXPERIENCE
Visitors encounter two large, transparent root-like structures in continuous, data-driven communication.
As environmental conditions shift within the space, the structures exchange signals—mimicking how real trees send electrical warnings or chemical cues underground. The system is interactive: the presence and movement of visitors directly influence the data feed, allowing the audience to take part in the ongoing “conversation.”
This interaction reveals the adaptive, symbiotic intelligence of forests and highlights the ecological lesson embedded in the work: resilience is achieved through collaboration. As viewers engage, the installation evolves in both motion and soundscape, creating a reflective and ever-changing sensory experience.
3D printing recycled plastics
The New Raw
Creative Coding - generative A.I.
y=f(x) lab
Soundscape
End of Time & Scoped Audio
Studio Assistant
Lode Dijkers
MATERIALISATION
The artwork is designed using 3D printed recycled plastics, thermo had sculptured to reach its final form.
Various sensors are placed in the room measuring air quality, humidity, CO2 levels and Volatile Organic Compounds. This data is fed into a basic eco-a.i. that with the use of TouchDesigner creates the visual and audible response. The visuals are visualised using projectors.
As the environmental conditions and visitor interactions evolve, so does the installation. The system’s behaviour is non-linear and emergent, allowing the work to shift subtly over time.
| 3D printed plastics |
| Sensors measuring; air quality, humidity, C02 levels, volatile organic compounds |
| Touchdesigner |
| Basic eco-a.i. |
| Generative soundscape |
| Projectors |
| EXHIBITIONS |
| LAM Budapest (HU), 2024 |
| Musée d'ethnographie de Genève, (CH), 2023 |
| Le Pavilion Namur (BE), 2022 |
| NXT museum Amsterdam (NL), 2021 |
SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT
Trees communicate underground. They warn each other, learn from each other and share nutrients.
Econtinuum is based on scientific research into plant communication, particularly the electrochemical signaling that takes place between tree root systems. Developed in collaboration with biologist Stefano Mancuso, the work draws from studies on how trees share resources, warn one another of threats, and maintain environmental balance.
Using biometric and air quality sensors—including CO₂ levels, volatile organic compounds, temperature, and humidity—the installation simulates how tree roots would respond to real-time changes in their environment. The communication between two root structures is generated by a custom eco-AI that interprets sensor data in real time, modeling the dynamic, intelligent, and cooperative behaviors found in natural ecosystems.
With special thanks to
Merel van Helsdingen, Natasha Greenhalgh, Bogomir Doringer - and the rest of the Nxt Museum team, International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology (LINV), University of Florence, Tim Gerritsen, Roy Gerritsen, Panos Sakkas, Foteini Setaki, Nickolas Maslarinos - The New Raw, Reinhard Bischoff - Decentlab, Dominic Vreezen - Faber, Neef Mazereeuw.
Credits images
Thijs Biersteker
| IMPACT | |
| XX | Museum visitors |
| XX | Tiktok views |
| XX | Yadayada |