Crypto Mori

Background: Crypto Mori is a collaborative design research project by Emma Luke, Kate Geck & Dr Judith Glover that explores digital Memento Mori & Thanatosensitive design (a research approach to mortality, memorialisation & HCI developed by Michael Massimi & Andrea Charise). The work is an interactive memorial, sensorially commemorating the slow death of the precious micro-world of Cryptogams (Bryophytes, Macro lichens & Fungi) holding our biosphere together. A significant part of planetary biomass, the decline of their diversity critically impacts the broader Australian ecosystem. Drawing on the philosophical conceit of the memento mori, this work uses data physicalisation, AR & A.I to meditate on diminishing biodiversity, hoping to move beyond an anthropocentric Vanitas to consider planetary loss. Contribution: Combining ceramics, AI, digital memory, textiles & data visualisation, the work is a futuristic altar, displaying three canopic funerary jars, flanked by embroidered curtains. The augmented surfaces of the vessels represent another dimension of the cryptogam’s story as a digital overlay of fire, logging, and climate imagery modulating the surface of the objects. The use of terracotta and slip casting in this project to form the urns, combined with the digital overlay built from generative visualisations, data and A.I used in the textiles and AR projections demonstrates the rich potential of digital ensoulment as a path to updateable data narratives for enduring enchantment in an example of a true post-digital memorial. Significance: Crypto Mori was first shown in the virtual exhibition for Data Heirlooms as part of the Radiant Pavilion Contemporary Object & Jewellery Biennial in 2021. The physical work was installed in the RMIT Design Archives front window as part of the Post-Digital Objects exhibition for Melbourne Design Week 2022. This exhibition was selected through peer-review by the curators from over 300 proposals.