PLANT by Debora Hirsch
Following the protocols of the blockchain which define a space protected from destruction, manipulation, and the passing of time, I decided to bring nearly extinct plants to life and preserve them within the realms of AI and physical painting.
In my research project, PLANT, endangered species are recorded on the blockchain, granting them an eternal virtual existence and serving as a symbolic memory of what we risk losing.
Plants represent the transitory nature of life and death, but they are also symbols of fertility, prosperity, regeneration, rebirth, and renewal in the cosmic cycle of nature. Mario Peixoto, the author of Limit, considered one of the most significant masterpieces in the history of Brazilian cinema, conveyed that "any human action against nature is useless." The Romans believed that "man may change, but nature remains the same." Although this may hold true in the long term over some centuries, biodiversity is far from static and depends on the conjunction and equilibrium of various elements. Unfortunately, biodiversity is experiencing a steep reduction in plant diversity.
In the silent embrace of nature, one discerns not merely a passive message but rather an impassioned plea, akin to a silent scream echoing through the wilderness. It crystallizes into form, sometimes taking on an animalistic guise, only to morph into a haunting semblance of humanity at other times. This enigmatic form leaves the observer utterly baffled as they endeavor to decipher the cryptic language underlying the fractured dialogue between two disparate kingdoms.
Amidst this profound contemplation, the observer is inevitably confronted with the sobering reality of humankind's relentless assault on biodiversity. Across the globe, ecosystems are being pillaged, habitats destroyed, and species driven to the brink of extinction by the heedless actions of humanity. The once vibrant tapestry of life is unraveling before our eyes, with biodiversity severed by the callous hand of exploitation and neglect. As the silent plea of nature echoes ever louder, it serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for humanity to reassess its relationship with the natural world and strive toward a path of restoration and harmony.
Centuries ago, paintings, engravings, and drawings by European artists depicted the New World as an exuberant and seemingly boundless landscape, teeming with life and abundance— and unfortunately also as a wild environment in need of taming, cultivation, and evangelization. Today, if these artists were to revisit the landscapes they once depicted with such awe, they would likely encounter a vastly different scene—one marred by monoculture, aggressive real estate and logging, deforestation, pollution, and the irreversible loss of biodiversity. The striking disparity between past depictions and present realities illustrates the consequences of exploitation and disregard for the natural world.
Above all, agriculture based on global markets generated by gigantic conglomerates favors monocultures. Monocultures represent the main threat to biodiversity and, paradoxically, also to nutrition. More than fifty percent of crops are destined to feed intensive livestock farming. It is crucial to investigate this agrochemical-dependent agriculture, characterized by cultivating a single crop over large expanses that depletes soil health and disrupts natural ecosystems. The damage inflicted by monoculture extends far beyond the immediate agricultural context, affecting broader ecosystems and wildlife. As we navigate the complexities of the agrochemical supply chain, it becomes paramount to encourage sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize biodiversity and mitigate its adverse effects, promoting a more resilient and ecological food production system, while also preserving local cultures, medicinal potential, and high nutritional value.
Species are currently vanishing before we can fully understand their characteristics. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species assessments play a crucial role in providing valuable guidance in establishing protected areas, allocating funds, and influencing conservation decisions. Despite being the most comprehensive source on global extinction risk, the Red List covers only approximately 6% of around eight million plants, fungi, and animals.
My PLANT compositions may include frames, caves, landscapes, forests, architectural details, and monolithic birds that altogether emphasize the complexity of interconnections that belong to ecosystems, evoking the delicate equilibrium and transience of nature.
If any elements of my compositions are eliminated or changed, the entire structure collapses aesthetically, paralleling the fragile equilibrium observed in ecosystems.
These contexts are not descriptive of the specific plant’s ecosystem. My plants know no borders; they live in imaginary worlds. The plants have a clear and special presence in the composition and high visual relevance as the true protagonists of the scene. I am not aiming for literal interpretations of the selected plant species; these remain as mere references. The plant representations lack seasonal consistency to highlight their most typical and recognizable elements.
To give a sense of the complexity of natural systems and the interrelation of their parts, I build fragments in my painting style, employing a pre-trained AI model that I fine-tune to my datasets. AI allows me to include a multitude of references and produce practically limitless digital outcomes that I later select to be part of my compositions and animations.
My decision on which plants to represent hinges upon a range of factors, including available information about their history, cultural relevance, utility, extinction assessment, the cause of their imminent extinction, and above all, their beauty or peculiarity, to make my rendition artistically and aesthetically intriguing. The PLANT collection is open and can be constantly enriched with additional endangered species, ultimately reinforcing the message of the PLANT series about the dramatic range of extinction cases.
With this project, through beauty and harmony, I aim to bring attention to the loss of biodiversity and valuable ecological resources essential to our physical existence, balance, and spiritual development.