Words Alexander Mays / alexandermays

Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde’s creative masterpiece Grow, has resulted in a project that combines art with science, two mediums often volte-face. Naturally, these two mediums have produced different answers to our current climate related questions, and usually they’ve operated solo—until now.

Conceived harmoniously with the Wageningen University and Radobank in the Netherlands, Roosegaarde bridges the gap between these two mediums with his latest exhibition Grow… where he imagines a bright new future via an interactive field of illuminated leeks.

Studio Roosegaarde interprets maximalism with a minimalist approach and shines a light on a sustainable future that is within reach, washing away the dirt of archaic agricultural practices.  

Fueled by solar powered LED light, a symphonic light display has been proven to enhance the immunity of leeks after dark, limiting the need for man-made chemicals and encouraging healthier plant growth through iridescent illumination. Roosegaaarde’s latest award-winning surge in sustainability research is the recipient of the Muse Design Award and is the agricultural project of choice that is currently being envisioned for over 40 different nations.

By concocting unique color combinations, cascades of light reduce carbon emission, and with each plant reacting differently to color…light art could potentially be the catalyst for redefining our collective understanding of agriculture…designing the footprint for Roosegaarde’s improved world—artistically.

Daan Roosegaarde, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts, started his studio as a social design lab in 2007 with the intention to build a ‘’landscape for the future”, fervently contributing a new approach to environmentalism. TED and NASA have been quick to endorse his aesthetic approach, where Roosegaarde’s creativity has inspired novelty conversation regarding the matter.

In addition to Grow, Urban Sun, another of his social design projects was commissioned this year to try and harness the sun’s natural UVC light, absorbing strains of COVID from the Earth’s atmosphere.

So far, leeks have been the hamster in this illuminating new wheel of discovery and has responded best to Roosegaarde’s lightshow.

When asked how the light specifically reacts to the leeks, Studio Roosegaarde states that “the light is poetic and inspired by a photobiological science.” 

A photobiological science that can be harnessed… controlling exposure. The light also acts as the main defense for the leeks, stimulating photosynthesis carefully while enhancing durability simultaneously. Ultraviolet light helping the plants resist disease and strengthening plant metabolism.

As of yet, strongly focused lights have produced the greatest results. 

Blue and red colored LED light are most receptive when tracking plant growth because they mimic the sun’s natural light, promoting healthy plant growth. Their relative proximity on the spectrum of wavelengths is another contributing factor. The optimal range of light on the wavelength spectrum is targeted anywhere between four to eight hundred. Any wavelengths falling outside of this bracket would be difficult for humans to spot, but studies have yet to prove if other organisms show reactivity.

Roosegaarde’s promo for the World Economic Forum provides us greater clarity: “Grow is inspired by scientific research; it shows specific light recipes can enhance plant growth and reduce the use of pesticides up to 50%”, as heard from the scientists laying the foundation for Roosegaarde’s colourful protopia. Additionally, Grow is not only a light show, but a revolutionary climate friendly solution boasting a…“20,000m2  field with four systems of light recipes on solar batteries for exhibitions worldwide…

Grow is precision lighting, focused horizontally in a controlled area, and can only be seen nearby to avoid light pollution.” As a beleaguered farmer walks through a field, a sweeping wave of light hits in a Matrix of majestic color. A radiant labyrinth proving to provide the much-needed ember of enlightenment after our year of darkness. Enlightenment that can easily inspire all of us to grow a better future together.

Leeks have helped recontextualize our view of agriculture in a post Covid world, spreading color with a flickering paintbrush across the globe, and reaping the benefits of a fruitful union between the arts and sciences.

Ultimately, Roosegaarde implies that there is no singular architectural design for the future, and that we must all act as the architects to construct a better world. 

Chicken leek pie?