Exhibition of AR video films explores the world of tomorrow at Botanique

The Botanique contemporary art space is currently showing a highly original and pertinent project exploring climate issues by the French visual artist Pierre Jean Giloux.

Biomimetic Stories Part II is a new cycle of augmented reality fictional films set in four Indian cities. Positioned at the crossroads of documentary and science fiction, they imagine the unprecedented connections that could emerge in the near future between cities, nature and biotechnology.

The multi-screen presentation of real and virtual images is accompanied by a sound installation to form an immersive and atmospheric experience. Viewers can freely move around the space to create their own narrative from the contrasting dialogue of images. 

At the heart of the project is a series of questions about the role of science and technology within the climate emergency; interrogating their trustworthiness and ability to build the world of tomorrow.

It was one such debate that sparked the artist’s new cycle of works. While a resident artist in Kochi, India, Giloux attended a conference on the climate, economic and urban planning challenges facing the subcontinent country. It also explored the potential of biomimicry, which is the science of applying nature-inspired designs in human engineering and invention to solve human problems.

Fascinated by this convergence of utopia, living things and technological innovation in urban planning, the artist began a collaboration with a French biotech laboratory to bring his Biomimetic Stories series to life.

It centres on arcology, a model combining architecture and ecology that questions the desirable futures for our cities. The collection of films ranging from 3 to 11 minutes in length are: BioluminescenTTower (2025), Madurai (2024), Pirana Dump Yard (2022) and Dholera (2024).

The installation is accompanied by 17 drawings used as storyboards, as well as the site-specific sound installation designed for the Botanique space in collaboration with composer Lionel Marchetti.

Biomimetic Stories Part II
Until 17 August
Rue Royale 236
Brussels. Sorry! Our prize giveaway has now closed and the winners have been notified.