In this expert session, Hendrik-Jan Grievink, an artist and designer with a passion for exploring the future of nature and technology, introduces himself, sharing his enthusiasm for both nature and technology, setting the stage for an intriguing journey where we may reevaluate our perspectives on these concepts.
Hendrik-Jan presents the idea of our planet as a "spaceship" inhabited by humans, introducing the concept of three spheres: the geosphere (natural Earth), the biosphere (all life on Earth), and the technosphere (human-made technology). He points out that the weight of all technology exceeds the combined weight of the natural spheres. Hendrik-Jan uses visual examples from space to discuss human activity, revealing how political systems can be perceived from above and questioning if our relationship with nature is still authentic or merely a pastime or consumption.
Hendrik-Jan invites participants to share instances where elements are both grown in nature and created by humans, leading to a discussion on topics such as cloned animals, engineered bacteria, modified plants, crops, food, agriculture, and wooden structures. The conversation expands to consider the intersection of nature and technology, with examples ranging from cars and factories to complex systems like traffic jams, the internet, and computer viruses.
Hendrik-Jan urges participants to expand their understanding of nature, suggesting that it might be more accurate to view it as everything beyond our control. He coins the term "next nature" to describe this concept and shares his art and design projects, such as the Nano Supermarket, which presents potential future products that don't yet exist but could in 10-20 years.
The session continues with Hendrik-Jan discussing the historical development of agriculture and its connection to modern practices like industrial farming and meat consumption. He reflects on the ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare and environmental impact, leading him to explore options for addressing these issues through vegetarianism, insect-based diets, and lab-grown meat.
Regarding lab-grown meat, also known as cultured or clean meat, Hendrik-Jan discusses its origins and explains the process of growing animal cells in a controlled environment to create edible tissue. He shares his team's fascination with exploring the creative possibilities of lab-grown meat through artistic presentations and design.
Hendrik-Jan also shares a personal story about how lab-grown meat could change our relationship with animals, creating a more symbiotic bond rather than a consumptive one. He encourages the audience to share their ideas for extreme recipes or innovative food concepts in a cookbook project. Throughout the discussion, Hendrik-Jan emphasizes the potential of technology to transform our lives and reshape our lifestyles.
At the conclusion of the session, Hendrik-Jan encourages everyone to reflect on the ideas presented and he shares his vision of a more decentralized world and the potential for technology to create unique, fairer experiences across various industries.
