Succession #1-6 (2023) velvet, expanding foam, mdf, crin, 3D printed PLA, sand.

Succession, a term coined by botanist Frederick Clements (no relation), described plant succession as a developmental process through which a community undergoes a well-defined series of stages culminating in a mature, or climax, community. This climax community is both an indicator and an expression of the climatic conditions that shaped it.

In this work, I play with the idea of Succession, envisioning a future event where all human life has been extinguished, only to regrow as organic brains existing without bodies, controlled movement, or obvious purpose. This concept draws inspiration from science fiction, where fears about AI and machine learning supplanting corporeal humanity are pervasive, as seen in works like “The Matrix” and “The Machine Stops.”

Fifteen of these brains are implanted with NFC (near-field communication) ‘Brain Chips,’ each narrating a story in augmented reality. These stories serve to both humanize and haunt the surreally isolated brains, adding a layer of eerie intimacy. The work examines the intersection of organic life and technological advancement, reflecting on the potential future of human evolution and the haunting spectre of a world where our physical forms are rendered obsolete.

Photo credit @JulesLister