The Somnium Tapestry by Kasia Wolski

Detail of 'The Somnium Tapestry,' a woven artifact from 2028. Its intricate patterns reflect a future shaped by climate change and human adaptation.

What if going to sleep could save the planet?

The Somnium Tapestry: A digitally woven tapestry visualizes personalized hibernation programs and climate contributions in a future shaped by a globally unified government managing climate change.

Wolski_4460, Poland

Description

Humanity faces unprecedented climate challenges. 'The Somnium Tapestry' visualizes a future where personalized hibernation programs intertwine with a global climate credit system. Wolski's intricate digital textile translates individual genetic data and climate contributions into a complex geometric narrative, exploring the delicate balance between individual agency and collective survival in a world reshaped by environmental necessity.

Context

2028: Earth's climate has stabilized, thanks to the unified global government's strict population management through strategic hibernation. Society is structured around Climate Credits, earned through contributions to ecological recovery. Personalized Hibernation Programs, determined by genetic analysis and credit scores, dictate the length and timing of each individual's slumber, promising a carefully orchestrated reawakening into a restored world. Cultural expression is subdued, focused on collective well-being and the delicate balance of the planet.

Provocation

Consider 'The Somnium Tapestry' a window into a potential future shaped by climate change. Are we heading towards a world where individual agency is sacrificed for collective survival? By visualizing a future intertwined with advanced technology and stringent controls, Wolski compels us to examine our current trajectory and question the long-term implications of our choices. How much are we willing to sacrifice for the future?

Wolski_4460's process

Inspired by geometric patterns and Polish folk art traditions, Wolski's process began with meticulous research into human hibernation programs and climate credit systems. Their cultural heritage informed the mathematical precision and intricate detail woven into the digital tapestry. Translating genetic predisposition and climate contribution data into geometric forms, Wolski created a complex visual narrative that subtly questions the ethical considerations of such technologically driven survival strategies.

More about Wolski_4460

Events leading to ‘The Somnium Tapestry’

2024: Increased climate disasters lead to preliminary research into human hibernation funded by select governments.

2025: Global Climate Accord establishes a framework for unified action and resource allocation, paving the way for a global government.

2026: Global government established; climate credits and personalized hibernation programs become tools for managing populations and resources.

2027: First large-scale implementation of human hibernation programs begins, prioritizing individuals with high Climate Credit scores and genetic suitability.

2028: Wolski creates 'The Somnium Tapestry,' reflecting the societal shift towards climate-managed hibernation and its ethical implications.

Imagined Future Scenarios Considered

Wolski_4460 considered the following imagined future scenarios while working on this project

Governments begin funding large-scale research programs into human hibernation, driven by the need to cope with increasingly frequent and severe climate change-related disasters.

Extrapolated from Could Humans Hibernate? - Aeon.co

Hypothetical Product Ideas Considered

Wolski_4460 considered the following hypothetical product ideas while working on this project

Personalized Hibernation Programs

Tailored hibernation protocols utilizing advanced AI and genetic analysis to optimize individual revival and integrate seamlessly with the planned global societal recovery strategy.

Climate Credits for Hibernation

A system where individuals earn hibernation eligibility by contributing to global climate goals through specific actions and services, tracked and verified by the global governing authority.

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