Piyanon Somboon
Abstract :
Echoes of Neglect is a digital art project that examines the impact of marine pollution on ocean ecosystems within the framework of a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) world. This 2:17-minute video features twelve marine species ranging from jellyfish to starfish each constructed entirely from marine debris, such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, and cans. Using DALL·E 3 for static image creation and RunwayML for animation, the work presents a hyper-realistic yet symbolic depiction of nature’s degradation. The visual design employs a deep blue and gray color palette, with diffused lighting that casts soft shadows, creating a somber and oppressive atmosphere that reflects the brittle state of marine ecosystems. The non-linear narrative, which transitions between species without a predictable sequence, mirrors the incomprehensible scale of the ecological crisis, aligning with the symposium’s theme. For instance, the jellyfish, composed of debris like plastic bottles and nets, floats amidst a polluted coral reef, its slow movements evoking a sense of despair. By imagining a future where marine life is overtaken by waste, the project critiques humanity’s neglect of environmental responsibilities and calls for urgent action. This work contributes to the Design Thinking Research Symposium’s exploration of design as an interdisciplinary practice, where art and technology converge to address global challenges (Design Research Society, n.d.). It positions the artist as a generalist, integrating art, technology, and environmental advocacy to navigate the complexities of a BANI world. Through this project, I aim to foster emotional engagement, encouraging viewers to reflect on their role in a world where natural systems are increasingly fragile and unpredictable, and to inspire sustainable design solutions through the power of visual storytelling.
Objectives :
The primary objective of Echoes of Neglect is to raise awareness about the devastating effects of marine pollution on ocean ecosystems, using digital art as a medium to evoke emotional responses in a BANI world. Marine ecosystems are under severe threat, with over 8 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, leading to the death of more than 100,000 marine animals each year (UNEP, 2021). This project visualizes the suffering of marine species by depicting twelve creatures such as jellyfish, whales, and starfish constructed from debris, symbolizing the fusion of nature and human waste. The work aims to highlight the brittle and anxious state of these ecosystems, as well as the non-linear and incomprehensible scale of the crisis, aligning with the BANI framework. Another objective is to explore the role of design in addressing global challenges, as emphasized in the Design Thinking Research Symposium series, which examines how design extends beyond traditional disciplines (Design Research Society, n.d.). By using AI tools like DALL·E 3 and RunwayML, the project demonstrates how technology can amplify environmental advocacy through art. Finally, the work seeks to inspire sustainable design practices by imagining a future where marine life is entirely composed of waste, urging designers and policymakers to prioritize ecological solutions. Through this project, I aim to foster a dialogue about the role of art and design in navigating the complexities of a BANI world, where traditional approaches to problem-solving are insufficient, and to encourage viewers to take action against environmental neglect.
Conceptual Framework :
Echoes of Neglect is conceptually grounded in the BANI World paradigm, which describes a reality that is Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible (Cascio, 2020). Marine pollution exemplifies a brittle system on the brink of collapse, with ecosystems unable to withstand the pressure of 8 million tons of plastic waste entering the oceans each year (UNEP, 2021). The anxiety of this crisis is reflected in the somber tone of the artwork, where marine creatures are depicted as suffering hybrids of nature and waste. The non-linear narrative, which shifts between species without a clear progression, mirrors the unpredictable and interconnected impacts of pollution across the ocean. The incomprehensible scale of the crisis is symbolized by the surreal imagery of animals entirely composed of debris, a future that feels both alien and imminent. The project also draws on Thornes’ (2008) concept of environmental art as a medium for emotional engagement, using visual storytelling to foster ecological awareness. Additionally, it aligns with the Design Thinking Research Symposium’s exploration of design as an interdisciplinary practice, where the artist integrates art, technology, and environmental advocacy to address societal issues (Design Research Society, n.d.). The deep blue and gray color palette, with diffused lighting casting soft shadows, creates an oppressive atmosphere that underscores the degradation of marine ecosystems. By positioning the artist as a generalist who combines multiple disciplines, the work demonstrates how design can navigate the complexities of a BANI world, encouraging viewers to confront the fragility of marine ecosystems and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat humanity’s neglect.
Process / Methodology :
The development of Echoes of Neglect began with research into the impact of marine pollution, drawing on reports from UNEP (2021) and Jambeck et al. (2015) to understand the scale of the crisis. I selected twelve marine species jellyfish, hermit crabs, sharks, crabs, lobsters, manta rays, whales, octopuses, sea turtles, dolphins, seahorses, and starfish to represent the diversity of affected ecosystems. Using DALL·E 3, I generated static images of each creature, designing their bodies to be composed entirely of marine debris, such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, and cans. The AI tool enabled hyper-realistic rendering of textures, such as the transparency of plastic or the roughness of nets, enhancing the visual impact. RunwayML was then used to animate these images into a 2:17-minute video, simulating the lifelike movements of each creature amidst a debris-filled ocean. The animation process focused on slow, deliberate motions to evoke empathy, with a deep blue and gray color palette and diffused lighting to create a somber atmosphere. The non-linear sequence of the video, where species appear without a predictable order, mirrors the chaotic nature of the BANI world. Throughout the process, I iterated on the visuals based on feedback from peers at Rangsit University, ensuring the work effectively communicated its environmental message. This methodology highlights the potential of AI in design, aligning with the symposium’s focus on expanding the definition of design thinking through interdisciplinary approaches (Design Research Society, n.d.).
Techniques and Materials :
Echoes of Neglect employs digital art techniques, utilizing AI tools to create a visually compelling narrative. The primary tools used were DALL·E 3 for generating static images and RunwayML for animation. DALL·E 3 was instrumental in creating hyper-realistic depictions of marine creatures composed of debris, such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, and aluminum cans. The AI’s ability to render intricate details like the translucency of plastic or the tangled texture of nets added a layer of realism to the surreal concept of animals made from waste. Each of the twelve species was designed with a focus on anatomical accuracy, ensuring that the debris was integrated in a way that reflected the real-world impact of pollution, such as nets entangling limbs or plastics embedded in bodies. RunwayML was then used to animate these static images into a 2:17-minute video, with a focus on simulating natural movements like the drifting of a jellyfish or the swimming of a whale. The animation process involved adjusting frame rates to create slow, deliberate motions, enhancing the emotional weight of the visuals. The deep blue and gray color palette, with diffused lighting casting soft shadows, was applied through digital post-processing to evoke a sense of despair. The final video was exported in high-definition format to ensure clarity for presentation at the symposium. This combination of AI-generated art and digital animation aligns with the symposium’s theme by demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address the incomprehensible challenges of a BANI world through design (Design Research Society, n.d.).
Result / Conclusion :
Echoes of Neglect effectively visualizes the impact of marine pollution in a BANI world, where ecosystems are brittle, the crisis evokes anxiety, the impacts are non-linear, and the scale is incomprehensible. The final 2:17-minute video, featuring twelve marine species constructed from debris, was presented to peers at Rangsit University, Faculty of Art and Design. The feedback highlighted the video’s strong emotional and visual impact, with viewers noting the haunting effect of seeing familiar creatures like jellyfish and starfish transformed into hybrids of waste. The hyper-realistic imagery, created using DALL·E 3 and animated with RunwayML, amplified the sense of despair, particularly through the deep blue and gray color palette and diffused lighting that cast soft shadows, creating a somber atmosphere. This aligns with Thornes’ (2008) argument that environmental art can foster ecological awareness through emotional engagement. The non-linear narrative structure, which shifts between species without a clear progression, mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the ecological crisis, resonating with the BANI framework (Cascio, 2020). This project also contributes to the discourse on design thinking by demonstrating how AI can bridge art and advocacy, supporting the Design Thinking Research Symposium’s exploration of design as an interdisciplinary practice (Design Research Society, n.d.). While the work is still in progress, it has sparked meaningful discussions among peers about the role of art in addressing global challenges, encouraging viewers to reflect on their environmental responsibilities. Future iterations may incorporate interactive elements to deepen audience engagement, but the current version successfully underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions in a world defined by uncertainty and complexity, highlighting the consequences of humanity’s neglect.
References :
Cascio, J. (2020). Facing the age of chaos. Institute for the Future. https://www.iftf.org/insights/facing-the-age-of-chaos/
Design Research Society. (n.d.). Design Thinking Research Symposium 13, Haifa, Israel. https://www.designresearchsociety.org
Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R., & Law, K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768–771. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260352
Thornes, J. E. (2008). Cultural climatology and the representation of sky, atmosphere, weather and climate in visual art. Ecumene, 15(3), 252–265. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967460808093407
UNEP. (2021). From pollution to solution: A global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/resources/pollution-solution-global-assessment-marine-litter-and-plastic-pollution
