Abstract
This presentation explores the design and implementation of “Bloom’s Embrace: A Wetland’s Journey,” a two-phase immersive installation that examines the relationship between natural and built environments. In its first phase, the project creates a spatial experience by situating large-scale untreated duck cloth panels partially submerged in wetland pools. These panels absorb biogeochemical processes over time, capturing ecological patterns- stains, textures, and colors that transform into visual narratives symbolizing the wetland’s purifying power. The installation invites visitors to move among the panels, immersing themselves in the interplay of light, shadow, time, texture, sound, color, and scale, fostering a deeper emotional and contemplative connection to the landscape. In its second phase, the panels are exhibited as monumental tapestries, functioning as metaphorical “landscape paintings” that expand the discourse around the invisible beneficial processes of wetlands and their vital role in ecological systems. Positioned at the intersection of environmental art, landscape architecture, and social innovation, this project fosters innovative approaches to design by demonstrating how ecological processes can inform spatial and architectural practices. “Bloom’s Embrace” encourages designers to draw inspiration from nature’s intelligence, offering a framework for creating spaces that harmonize poetic expression with ecological functionality and sustainability.
Presenters
Rebecca MiddenAssistant Professor, Design, Columbia College Chicago, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Landscape Architecture, Human Geography, Science, Aesthetics, Form, Function, Participatory Design
