bio-art
Bio-art is a creative practice in which artists use living organisms, tissues, and biological processes—often alongside laboratory techniques like microscopy and biotechnology—as the medium for artistic works. In plant science, bio-art offers a unique lens for exploring plant growth, structure, and physiology, transforming trees and other living systems into both subjects of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. This intersection helps communicate complex botanical concepts to broader audiences while inspiring new ways of observing and interpreting plant life.
open_in_new WikipediaOpenAlex · 2026-07-01
Scientists used a structured forecasting tool called a 'futures wheel' to explore what would happen if genetically engineered, glow-in-the-dark trees were deployed as a public light and energy source, particularly in areas vulnerable to power outages from disasters or political instability.
An interdisciplinary futures wheel analysis identified cascading second- and third-order consequences of deploying bioluminescent trees at scale in urban and disaster-prone environments.
The scenario was framed as a response to increasing power outages caused by natural disasters and political instability, positioning bioengineered trees as a potential decentralized energy/light alternative.
The study bridges bio-art and biotechnology, suggesting that speculative design frameworks can productively guide early-stage assessment of radical green-infrastructure technologies before they are technically feasible.
