Biosphere 3

Are we seeking to conquer space, or are we endlessly replicating Earth? Do we aim to discover new forms of cosmic life, or are we merely searching for a mirror? Biosphere 3 builds upon research and hypotheses in Astor-mycology, employing digital generation and speculative archaeology to explore how fungi might survive and communicate after migrating to Mars, while also reflecting on humanity's grand vision of biological colonization. Fungi, with their potential as builders, conductors, network engineers, and chemists, have been engineered by scientists and sent to Mars with the hope of breaking down the planet’s rigid surface to create a foundation of fertile soil suitable for terrestrial life. Yet, the work subverts this premise: Martian fungi assimilate the first group of astronauts and deliberately sever ties with Earth. This narrative exposes the fundamental contradictions between space colonization, centered on the expansion of frontiers, and the decentralized networks inherent to fungi. It also challenges us to rethink the definitions of "intelligence" and "life." We are always fascinated by the decentralized intelligence system of other species, however, have we developed an ethical framework to embrace unknown extraterrestrial life forms? From the perspective of material particles and energy flows, humans have never truly "occupied" Mars but have been part of it from the very beginning. What we need is not only technological readiness but also a profound ethical and philosophical shift—how can we truly integrate into a boundless community of life? The work comprises a Martian fungal generation system within a digital environment, a series of sculptural installations, and a short film. Within the digital environment, code generates fungal forms that respond to environmental parameters specific to various Martian terrains, from deserts to plains, glaciers to volcanoes. Environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, radiation, and gravity trigger morphological transformations in the fungi. Given Mars’ fundamentally different material and energy dynamics, the work posits that extraterrestrial life might exist as a hybrid of matter, information, and energy—decentralized, networked entities storing data as DNA, communicating via light signals and electromagnetic waves, feeding on cosmic radiation, and replicating through code. These forms transcend linear lifecycles, embodying uncertainty and probabilistic multiplicity.