Unprecedented AI-powered art brings digital environmentalism to the United Nations
World renowned media artist Refik Anadol’s work on nature highlights transformative power of technology during UN General Assembly
21 September 2024, New York — At the United Nations headquarters, where world leaders will gather to address critical global challenges during the General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, they will have a unique opportunity to experience a groundbreaking artwork that leverages artificial intelligence to transform environmental conservation.
Developed by the renowned Refik Anadol Studio, Large Nature Model: Coral, an unprecedented AI-generated portrayal of coral reefs, takes center stage as governments, civil society and other stakeholders meet for the Summit of the Future during UNGA on an array of pressing issues – from the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action to new and emerging technologies.
Utilizing a machine learning algorithm trained on a staggering 100 million coral reef images, this monumental immersive installation offers an unprecedented glimpse into the vastness and complexity of our oceans. It serves as a poignant reminder of what’s at stake in the fight for our planet’s future.
“Refik Anadol’s artwork is a testament to the beauty and fragility of our natural world,” said UN Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming. “It’s a clarion call to world leaders: we must harness the power of technology, and human ingenuity and agency to incite action to protect our planet before it’s too late.”
Large Nature Model: Coral exemplifies the potential of AI not only to illuminate the consequences of environmental degradation but also to inspire innovative solutions. Anadol’s work, a tribute to the power of merging art with science, technology and innovation, serves as a powerful message and call to action—inspiring greater understanding, deeper reflection and a much-needed sense of responsibility to safeguard our natural world.
“It’s an honor to participate in this year’s Summit of the Future and be part of the critical dialogues shaping our global future. As an interdisciplinary artist, I hope that Large Nature Model: Coral inspires people to see how technology can foster deeper connections with our planet and empower us to work together toward a more sustainable world,” stated Refik Anadol, Media Artist and co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio.
“I’m also grateful for Patrick J. McGovern Foundation’s support of the RAS AI Foundation’s Large Nature Model research. Established in 2023, RAS AI Foundation is dedicated to the ethical integration of art, science, and technology, ensuring responsible innovation that drives forward both creative and scientific exploration,” Anadol added.
Our coral reef ecosystems, often called the “rainforests of the ocean,” are dying at an alarming rate. They are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet to climate change. These undersea cities, which support 25 per cent of marine life, could virtually disappear by the end of this century.
“AI is not just a tool for innovation—it’s a force that can reshape how we see our planet, reconnecting us with the beauty and fragility of nature in ways never before possible. Refik Anadol’s brilliant vision allows us to use technology to engage the senses and spark a deeper emotional connection to our natural world,” said Vilas Dhar, President at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
“Large Nature Model: Coral, merges technology with artistic expression to open new pathways for engagement, helping humanity see not just the challenges but the opportunities to build a sustainable future. As we look toward the Summit of the Future, we must seize this moment to harness AI’s power to shift perspectives and drive collective change for generations to come,” Dhar added.
Large Nature Model: Coral will be on display at the UN headquarters from 21 to 28 September, coinciding with the annual gathering of world leaders and the Summit of the Future. This year’s Summit, which takes place from 21 to 22 September, focuses on strengthening multilateralism and addressing critical challenges and opportunities, including those presented by new and emerging technologies such as AI.
The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Executive Office of the UN Secretary- General, in partnership with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Promotional materials on the exhibition can be downloaded here.
NOTE TO EDITORS
About the Summit of the Future
The Summit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reboot global collaboration and make the multilateral system fit to address the ever-faster change in our interconnected world. New and emerging threats and challenges must be tackled, and potential opportunities harnessed for the benefit of all. This can only happen through effective international cooperation.
https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future
About Refik Anadol
Refik Anadol (b. 1985, Istanbul, Turkey) is an internationally renowned media artist, director, and pioneer in the aesthetics of data and machine intelligence. He is the co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio in Los Angeles and teaches at UCLA’s Department of Design Media Arts. Anadol’s work locates creativity at the intersection of humans and machines. Using data as the foundation of the artwork, created through machine learning algorithms, Anadol creates site-specific data paintings and sculptures, live performances featuring audio and visuals, and immersive installations. His work has been exhibited at venues including MoMA, Centre Pompidou-Metz, Serpentine Galleries, Art Basel, National Gallery of Victoria, Venice Architecture Biennale, Hammer Museum, Arken Museum, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Ars Electronica, Istanbul Modern, and ZKM | Center for Art and New Media. www.refikanadol.com
About the Refik Anadol Studio (RAS)
Established in 2014 by Refik Anadol and Efsun Erkiliç, the Los Angeles-based Refik Anadol Studio produces enthralling and immersive media art intended for anyone, any age, and any background. The award-winning studio has been engaged by leading tech companies, groundbreaking researchers, and cutting-edge thought leaders to produce projects that have been shown in more than 70 cities, spanning six continents, and experienced by millions of ardent fans. In taking the data that flows around us as the primary material and the neural network of a computerized mind as a collaborator, Anadol and his team paint with a thinking brush, offering us radical visualizations of our digitized memories and expanding the possibilities of interdisciplinary arts.
www.refikanadolstudio.com
About the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence and data science solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Led by President Vilas Dhar, a global scholar on AI policy, computer scientist, and member of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, the Foundation works in partnership with public, private, and social institutions to drive progress on humanity’s most pressing challenges.
https://www.mcgovern.org
MEDIA CONTACTS
UN Department of Global Communications | Devi Palanivelu | palanivelu@un.org
Refik Anadol Studio | Laura Cohen | laura@refikanadolstudio.com
Patrick J. McGovern Foundation | Vilas Dhar | communications@mcgovern.org
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