BIOPHILIA | Love of Life

Nature never deviates from those it loves. William Wordsworth

Starting from an exploration of the impact of the climate crisis on human society, we wanted to create a new relationship between humans and nature, using the inconspicuous mosses of nature as a medium. In nature, moss binds carbon dioxide and converts it into oxygen through photosynthesis while filtering out substances that are harmful to the climate, such as soot particles. Humans need oxygen and mosses produce it, and we see this as nature's love for humans.

The project is an eco-friendly, zero carbon emission, a handmade concept piece, using eco-friendly resin materials and recycled metal scraps to create a wedding ceremony for nature and humans with Speculative Design, celebrating the contribution of nature to human society and looking to dissolve the boundaries between humans and nature. At the same time, the 'negative wedding' is presented as a reminder that nature is decaying little by little, in the hope that human society will pay attention to it and be aware of the climate crisis.

re's love for humans.

The design of this piece of jewellery is intended to draw full attention to the beauty and needs of the organism at its centre.

Gaia's design is adapted to the life and growth cycle of the lichen species Rhizocarpon geographicum, which has an approximate spread of 1cm in 10 years. This makes Gaia a multi-generational jewel that is supposed to be passed on in a regular cycle of about 12 years. 

Inspired by the 7-generation principle, Gaia has a contemplative impetus and is intended to remind its wearer of a conscious and healthy lifestyle that ensures the survival of both species, human and lichen, and therefore strengthens their symbiotic partnership. The design of this piece adapts to the growth of the lichen and is therefore supplied in a 7-piece set made in a variety of Scottish granite and Cornish bark which provides a good base for the organism to propagate. 

Lichen can withstand great extremes of temperature and are found in arctic, antarctic and tropical regions. They require no food source other than light, air and moisture. To improve the growth of Gaia and guarantee its survival, we strongly recommend the following:

Air

Lichen is very sensitive to air pollution, which consequently means that the presence of lichen can indicate cleaner air. Don’t expose your jewellery 24/7 to a toxic environment, like fumes or big city pollution. Take yourself and Gaia regularly on nature walks. 

Humidity

Lichens absorb water from the atmosphere, but unlike plants they have no means of keeping water within themselves during dry spells. When the lichen dries out too much, it becomes metabolically inactive. We therefore recommend to spray Gaia twice a week with clean rainwater. Additionally, it will benefit your specimen to add buttermilk to the spray (1:3 ratio) once every 2-3 weeks for some extra nutrition. 

Light

Similar to plants, all lichens photosynthesise. They need light to provide energy to make their own food. Expose Gaia to several hours of indirect sunlight during the day. We recommend keeping Gaia in a transparent, permeable container when not worn.

Basalt, silver, leather

The Luca pendants are named after Earth’s Last Universal Common Ancestor; an organism formed in the metallic, hot plumes of seawater that collided with the magma erupting from the ocean floor. The pendant is comprised of silver, and basalt stones collected from a volcanic eruption at the Icelandic Reykjanes Peninsula; - this material embodying the significance of the mineralogy of soil in the growth of all life forms. Volcanic soil is predominantly composed of basalt - an incredibly brittle iron-rich crystal, additionally containing elements of calcium and phosphorus, which minerally enriches the surrounding environment. And LUCA, our demi-magmatic ancestor, may be considered as a genetic isopoint: - one of the moments where the population of Earth had been entirely comprised of the ancestors of everyone alive today. For instance, all humans are related, in some form or another, to Neferneferuaten Nefertiti (and everyone alive between 5300 and 2200 B.C) just as all life forms are related to LUCA.

The piece comes in a dual ensemble, designed to be worn by an individual human, and by the plant that they may care for. In generating jewellery pieces that are emblematic of a biological genetic isopoint and anthro-bio affinity, the intention is to conceptualise and establish an inter-species partnership; the significance of sharing jewellery, embedded with igneous stones, with plantae in recognition of the historic, deeper forces of mineralogy and chemistry that create every form of life. Or, an awareness of the connectivity of living forms shared through the genetic isopoint of LUCA, and a subsequent gesture of companionship.

Take time to observe your daily environment with care. What plants surround you? Do you have a favourite houseplant or do you admire the same tree every day on the way to work?

The plants in your home and in your immediate vicinity contribute to your mental and physical well-being on a daily basis. Accordingly, wouldn't it be appropriate to give thanks to these silent heroes? 

Whether as a decorative element or for additional support, 'Atlas’ is a service that facilitates your caring ritual with the plant of your choice. We take care of you taking care of what takes care of you. 

How it works: 

Send us detailed photos of your plant from different angles, so we can identify and design ideas around it. Notify us if your plant has specific difficulties or needs, and we will try to integrate solutions into our design. We will send you back a catalogue with a choice of 2 design proposals for you to choose from. These proposals are accompanied by a detailed description of how to proceed in order to provide us with the necessary information and material to craft a jewellery piece tailored to your plant.*

Among others this may include:

– Moulding of durable areas of your plant 

– Measurements of particular areas

Additionally, if available, a 3D Scan with an app on your phone can be beneficial. 

We take great care, that all our products are made with the highest possible percentage of recycled materials. Our jewellery is made from recycled metal from electric wires and aluminum cans or ceramics. 

This service is named after the titan Atlas who, according to Greek mythology, carries heaven and earth on his shoulders.

*Please see the design catalogue for inspiration.