Elke Boswinkel

The Symbiocene - Connected Worlds

In my work, I explore how we, as humans, can reconnect with nature, where we are not outsiders but part of a living, shared whole.

In everyday life, we often pass nature by mindlessly. We walk past it without really pausing to consider it.

I enjoy working with modern technological techniques, but technology is often seen as something that distances us from nature. This deeply inspired me to use these contradictory elements during my graduation project. It was an interesting challenge, one I embraced with gusto.

The concept of the symbiocene, introduced by environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, also inspired me greatly. It envisions a future in which humans, nature, and technology are in balance. I noticed how conscious, small moments of contemplation of nature can bring deep peace and connection, and that feeling is precisely what I want to evoke in my work.

In a Symbiocene - Connected Worlds, I combine poetic text, ceramics, and virtual reality. The hexagonal pillar refers to the structure of the digital world, namely polygons, but is interrupted by organically flowing forms. Within the VR experience, trees, textures, and colours are magnified, allowing us to experience them more attentively and feel a greater connection with them.

With this work, I aim to foster a renewed perception of and connection with nature. Hopefully, the merging of nature and technology will create a different way of seeing for the viewer, one that continues to resonate beyond the virtual space.