AfterForms Explores Climate Grief in the Metaverse
AfterForms, a project backed by the National Arts Council of Singapore, is changing how we view art in a digital world. This initiative explores the intersection of art, memory, and climate grief through immersive virtual environments.
Four unique virtual spaces invite visitors to engage with their surroundings. These experiences reflect on how our digital lives inherit the traumas and losses of the physical world. Instead of being a mere escape, these spaces prompt us to confront what we sometimes wish to forget.
Understanding Climate Grief
In recent studies, researchers have noted a growing trend of “eco-anxiety”—the fear or worry about environmental doom. According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, around 68% of respondents reported feeling anxious about climate change. AfterForms taps into this sentiment, using art to highlight these pressing issues.
Featured Installations
Land Erosion by Han Sai Por: This installation showcases how physical environmental loss transitions into a virtual landscape. Visitors first see tangible evidence of erosion before navigating through a digital representation, emphasizing the urgency and reality of climate change.
Drift Alley by Debbie Ding: Inspired by the back lanes of Little India, this piece allows visitors to traverse a disjointed digital landscape. Here, they encounter characters and structures that embody the complexities of today’s economy and urban living.
The Wound is Bigger than Your Handyplast by Spang & Lei: In this interactive installation, the virtual rainforest reacts to participants’ movements. Each action leaves traces, symbolizing the ongoing damage inflicted by human activities on nature.
Memory Factory by LiteWerkz: This work redefines memory as a living, shifting entity. Visitors move through fragments that symbolize migration and lost homes, showing how memories are reshaped by experience.
Reactions and Cultural Impact
Social media has buzzed with reactions to the AfterForms project. Users express gratitude for its innovative approach to serious themes. Hashtags like #ClimateArt and #DigitalMemory have gained traction, showcasing how the art community can foster dialogue on urgent matters.
Victor Ang, the Director of Technology and Innovation at the National Arts Council, remarks that AfterForms illustrates a commitment to merging art with technology. He acknowledges this blend encourages artists to delve into virtual realms while addressing significant cultural reflections.
As Spang & Lei note, the project serves as a “living archive” of our unresolved histories. They warn that technology might promise new beginnings, but it cannot erase the environmental consequences we face.
Exhibition Details
- Dates: January 22–31, 2026
- Venue: Blue Room, The Arts House, Singapore
- Time: 12 PM – 8 PM daily
For further insights on how arts and technology interact and to explore this topic more deeply, visit NAC’s website.
By intertwining art with pressing social issues, AfterForms not only captivates but also provokes thought, encouraging everyone to consider their role in a rapidly changing world.
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National Arts Council Singapore,TBWASingapore
