Sensory Odyssey

As part of the Sensory Odyssey exhibition at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris, which aims to explore the world through the senses, Big Bang Project has designed three objects to immerse visitors in a bio-inspired future.

These three fictional innovations are inspired by remarkable properties observed in a number of organisms from the environments explored by the visitor in the exhibition, as well as current scientific research, to offer a desirable vision of what a world built on the principle of bio-inspiration might be like.

In this world, objects such as the mushroom bag will grow thanks to new skills of excellence connected to the living world. Filaments of mushroom mycelium grow along stakes to take the shape of the desired object, which is then cultivated to create a bag made from robust, biocompatible material. It is a local and sustainable alternative to the use of animal leathers.

The urban constructions are inspired by the way coral grows in the oceans. They are made from "bio-cement" rather than concrete produced using energy-intensive and polluting processes. The walls and architectural decorations grow and repair themselves. This biosynthesis is achieved through the action of bacteria capable of producing limestone, as illustrated by the "Rosace" in the exhibition.

The "Sensory Cane" offers a new way of learning about living things by enhancing our senses. It helps us to detect natural phenomena in the surrounding environment that previously went unnoticed: vibrations in the air and ground, masses of air, the rustling of animals and insects, and so on. It also has an echolocation function, so you can find your way around by day or night, just like a bat. Using it gives you a better feel for your environment, so you can get to know it better and appreciate all its subtleties.

The three artefacts were designed in partnership with the Institut des Futurs Souhaitables and are on display at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris from October 2021 to July 2022.