Networked Nature at Art Vault, 2021–22

Large white stones in a natural landscape

Networked Nature is an exhibition of 21 Digital & Media artworks from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s collection that connect with nature’s creative energy. Using the science of organisms, communities, and ecosystems, each artwork is programmed to simulate natural patterns of life. Recent ecological research reveals how groups of trees, fungus, insects, and animals communicate with electrochemical signals across vast networks. These discoveries provide artists with biological models on which to generate their technological artworks. Networked Nature features artists’ pioneering approaches to artificial intelligence, machine learning, real-time software, custom algorithms, and virtual environments. As a group, the artworks offer a vision of humanity remade in the image of nature.

Artists include Nancy Burson, Jim Campbell, Daniel Canogar, Guillermo Galindo, Ja’Tovia Gary, John Gerrard, Matthew Angelo Harrison, Gary Hill, Madeline Hollander, Christian Marclay, Bruce Nauman, Thiago Rocha Pitta, Martin Reinhart & Virgil Widrich, Miguel Ángel Rios, Peter Sarkisian, Hiraki Sawa, Elias Sime, Sommerer & Migonneau, Jennifer Steinkamp, Siebren Versteeg. Curated by Jason Foumberg.