{
  "id": 13206975,
  "title": "A Digital Swamp Coming to New York City’s MoMA Is 'Made to Envelop You' in Nature With the Help of Cutting-Edge Technology",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/a-digital-swamp-coming-to-new-york-citys-moma-is-made-to-envelop-you",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T20:39:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Smithsonian",
    "slug": "smithsonian",
    "url": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-digital-swamp-coming-to-new-york-citys-moma-is-made-to-envelop-you-in-nature-with-the-help-of-cutting-edge-technology-180989652/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A vibrant, digital swamp has emerged within the lobby of New York City's renowned Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Starting next week, visitors will be immersed in a mesmerizing, sensorially disconnected world of colors and pulsating life. Titled \"Wetland,\" this groundbreaking exhibition by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen transports guests to a futuristic digital vision of nature. Opening on October 12, this innovative show also offers a poignant reminder of the marshy origins of major cities, including New York. Utilizing macro photogrammetry and advanced game-engine software, \"Wetland\" replicates the dynamic movements, sounds, and visuals of an expansive swamp. Expansive screens showcase photographs and 3D scans of genuine wetlands, while digitally enhanced field recordings of amphibians and ambient riverine sounds, accompanied by human vocals, create an immersive auditory experience. According to Kudsk Steensen, the MoMA installation aims to envelop visitors in a sense of fluidity, with elements appearing, disappearing, and shifting between darkness and brightness, accompanied by vocals. The centerpiece of \"Wetland\" is the simulated swamp installation known as Berl-Berl, which has evolved since its inception in 2021. The name and form of Berl-Berl draw inspiration from the swamps near Berlin, many of which have been impacted by urban expansion. Collaborating with Berlin's natural history museum, Steensen spent months studying the landscape through photography, sound recording, kayaking, and archival research, documenting humanity's connection with wetland habitats. The outcome was Berl-Berl, initially installed in Berghain, a nightclub housed in a decommissioned East German power plant. Initially conceived as an immersive show with nature sounds and moving elements, Kudsk Steensen was captivated by the space's acoustic qualities. Berl-Berl has undergone multiple iterations, continually evolving in Denmark, South Korea, Switzerland, and Berlin. At times, folklore elements, such as the three-headed Slavic god Triglav in the form of a colossal tree, and the shape-shifting water spirit Nøkken, often appear within the digital swamp. Kudsk Steensen emphasizes the role of technology as a connector, enabling a deeper connection with nature. Paola Antonelli, MoMA's senior curator of architecture and design, appreciates the technological aspect of the exhibition as it delves into nature and consciousness. \"Wetland\" will be displayed at MoMA in New York City from October 12, 2026, to March 7, 2027.",
  "summary": "\"Wetland\" is the latest installation of a high-tech traveling exhibition designed by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen. It recreates the overlooked ecosystem with the help of folklore, soundscapes and video game software",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}