Atmospheric Forest: Immersive Visualizations of Climate Experiences
Talk: 04.11.2025.
The Black Box, Room MB313, Södertörn University, Stockholm

Welcome to MT-Live / Open lecture in Media Technology with Rasa Smite & Raitis Smits – Atmospheric Forest: Immersive Visualizations of Climate Experiences! In Atmospheric Forest, artistic research meets climate science through immersive visualization and sonic data interpretation.

In Atmospheric Forest, artistic research meets climate science through immersive visualization and sonic data interpretation. The VR work explores the interplay between the forest ecosystem and the atmosphere through VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Building on findings from the Atmospheric Forest research project (2017–2021), we are now launching a new phase with the SNSF-funded project Immersion Studies of Climate Experience (2025–2028). This stage investigates how invisible processes—such as forest ecosystem data and climate modelling, both past and future—can be experienced sensorially. Our immersive data “sensorializations” challenge perception and invite new ways to sense and reflect on the atmospheric dimensions of climate change, reaching beyond the natural environment into its deep social and cultural effects.

The talk with be followed by the opening of the Atmospheric Forest VR installation.

Atmospheric Forest VR installation Opening
06.11.2025.-18.12.2025. // Opening: 06.11.2025.
ArtSpace, Södertörn University, Stockholm

Rasa Smite and Raitis Smits are artists working at the intersection of art, science, and immersive technologies. Co-founders of the Riga-based RIXC Center for New Media Culture, curators of its international festivals, and co-editors of the Acoustic Space / Renewable Futures publication series, they have gradually expanded their activities internationally and are currently based between Riga (Latvia), Karlsruhe (Germany), and Basel/Zurich (Switzerland). Both hold PhDs: Rasa Smite in sociology of media and culture—she is a professor at RTU Liepaja Academy and currently a researcher and lecturer at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK); and Raitis Smits in art—he is a professor at the Art Academy of Latvia. They have been active educators and guest lecturers internationally, including at MIT in Boston (2018–2021), where they continue to contribute by sharing their artistic research case studies. As an artist duo, they collaborate with scientists to create immersive XR artworks that combine scientific data visualization, spatial sound, and multi-sensory experience. Their works critically explore AI–nature relations and address ecological and climate change issues. Artworks such as Biotricity. Pond Battery (2014), Swamp Radio (2018), Atmospheric Forest (2020), Deep Sensing (2023), and Solarceptors (2025) have been widely exhibited and internationally recognized, receiving nominations and awards including the Prix Ars Electronica and Falling Walls – Science Breakthrough in Art and Science distinction.

More info: https://live.medieteknik.info/rasasmite_raitissmits_atmosphericforest/

This open lecture is arranged by MT-Live, the research platform Digital Transformations and Art Space.