Artemis – An Artificial Ecosystem Composed of Bionic Automata
Ji He
Artemis invites the public to rediscover their often-overlooked capacity to perceive and understand ecosystems. This immersive installation constructs an artificial ecosystem through bionic automatons that emulate evolutionary forms. Inspired by D’Arcy Thompson—biological morphologist and pioneer of mathematical biology—we explore parametric design as a means to craft mechanical lifeforms whose morphologies respond to variable parameters. Each automaton, driven by cams and derived from biomorphic abstraction, performs rhythmic behaviors such as pulsing, swaying, and vocalizing.
These kinetic automata are networked and connected to CO₂ sensors. A single breath from the audience activates a chain reaction of motion and sound, transforming passive observation into visceral interaction. The project reflects on the entangled relationship between humans and nature—where each visitor becomes part of an interconnected, responsive system. Artemis has been exhibited at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, the London Festival of Architecture, London's Bloomsbury Theatre, China UCCA × Xintiandi’s Ranran Art Season, Shenzhen Art Museum, Hangzhou Tianmuli , and Tianfu College Art Museum in Chengdu. It is also scheduled to be shown during the upcoming UN-supported Shanghai Climate Week. Artemis is both a technological ecosystem and a poetic inquiry into the possibilities of synthetic life.
Project Collaborators:
Ji He is a 3D interaction designer at Mercedes-Benz China Advanced Design Center. With degrees from Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts and UCL, he combines interactive installations, robotics, and digital media to create responsive environments. His works have been exhibited at the Ars Electronica Festival, London Festival of Architecture, UCCA x Xintiandi, Shenzhen Art Museum, and more. Guo Xingyue, an interactive artist and lecturer at Shenzhen Technology University, who explores the intersection of art, technology, and cognitive science. Her works have been displayed at the Barbican Theatre, Ars Electronica, London Design Festival, and Singapore University of Art, focusing on human-physical interactions in limited spaces. Li Weiran, a CMF designer in the automotive industry, specializes in the relationship between materials, mechanics, and spatial experience. His works, influenced by D'Arcy Thompson’s theories, have been shown at Ars Electronica, London Festival of Architecture, and the Beijing Auto Show.
