GASP — Woven Studio

CREDITS

Artistic Lead
Thijs Biersteker

Scientific Collaboration
Fredrika Klarén (Polestar)

Studio Director
Sophie de Krom

Technical Lead
Thijs Biersteker, Tom Bekkers
Denisa Půbalová

THE EXPERIENCE

GASP magnifies airborne PM2.5 particles 4000 times and displays them as oil droplets dispersing into water—a living, data-driven visualisation of the pollutants we inhale with each breath.

The system updates live, reflecting fluctuations in pollution throughout the day. Multiple sculptures compare data from different locations—for example, a heavily trafficked road versus a nearby forest—giving visitors a comparative, embodied understanding of air quality. The result is both intimate and alarming: a real-time portrait of how our surroundings are affecting our health.

Programming
Tom Bekkers, Denisa Půbalová

3D design and welding
Bastiaan Kennedy

Soundscape
End of Time

Technical Assistants
Theo Rekelhof, Storm van Gils, Robin Vrugt

MATERIALISATION

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    PM 2.5 sensors
  
    Parafine and water
  
    Valves
  
    TouchDesigner

  
    EXHIBITIONS
  
    Flow Festival Helsinki (FI), 2023

SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT

Air pollution is responsible for an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization.

GASP translates this urgent public health crisis into a real-time visual experience. Using precise air quality sensors, the installation continuously measures PM2.5 levels in the immediate environment. This data is compared to global health standards and converted into a tangible output that quantifies the threat in terms of visibility, context, and potential impact on life expectancy.

With special thanks to
Martin Österberg

WHO team
Heather Adair-Rohani, Sophie Gumy, Abraham Mwaura, Pierpaolo Mudu

Images and video
Thijs Biersteker

  
    IMPACT
    
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    Online impressions
  
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    Media coverages
  
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    Exhibitions
  
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    In-Person Engagement
  
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    Collaborations