Evolution Through Art: Biomimesis in EcoLogicStudio’s H.O.R.T.U.S. Series
by Caryn Ohki
Category: Humanities
Abstract – In recent years, biomimesis, the practice of using mechanical means to mimic biological functions found in nature, has become increasingly popular in the art world. However, due to the emergent nature of biomimetic art as a field, limited scholarship exists about it. This paper analyzes EcoLogicStudio’s H.O.R.T.U.S. series in an attempt to expand the current scholarship in the field and to clarify biomimetic art as a whole. First the field of biomimetic art is defined. Next, each individual work in EcoLogicStudio’s H.O.R.T.U.S. series is demonstrated to be biomimetic, and the biomimetic evolution between the artworks within the series in form, materials, and methods of achieving function is explained. Works like the H.O.R.T.U.S. series show the promise of a field that effectively combines multiple disciplines to create highly efficient, self-regulating works which are responsive to urban stimuli. Lastly, I propose that the H.O.R.T.U.S. series is a techno-eco manifesto in a call to action for humanity to consider the role of biomimesis in architectural and technological endeavors.