There’s something special about nature dioramas. They give us a sneak peek into the earth’s landscapes and the complex world of nature, all in a tiny format we can easily hold. These models capture ecosystems and moments in time, making vast concepts feel close and understandable.
Derek Tumala, an artist known for his intricate dioramas, has been exploring this theme in his works. Last year, he presented Kayamanan ng Pilipinas at the Potter Museum of Art in Melbourne. This digital piece was based on real-time atmospheric data from the Dipidio mines in the Philippines. In 2023, he showcased dioramas made from papier-mâché that depicted the decline of agricultural areas in his exhibit Adaptation: A Reconnected Earth at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD). This work stems from his ongoing project, Tropical Climate Forensics.
Tropical Climate Forensics invites users into seven unique biomes—like forests and typhoons—where they can explore and interact. Each environment highlights the effects of climate change in the Philippines, allowing personal connections to global issues. This project was backed by research from Tumala’s residency at the Manila Observatory.
One biome, Komunidad, shifts the focus to an urban landscape based on Baseco Compound in Manila. Once a shipyard, this area now faces flooding and pollution, affecting the community’s daily life. Here, users meet locals who share their struggles with climate change, food shortages, and economic challenges. Their stories connect personal experiences to larger issues, like government neglect and environmental damage.
As users navigate Komunidad, they see how intertwined daily life is with broader social and environmental problems. For instance, the heavy rains expose weaknesses in flood control systems, often attributed to corrupt practices. The characters in this biome illustrate how everyday choices and systemic failures contribute to climate crises.
Amitav Ghosh, a notable author, said, “the climate crisis is also a crisis of culture, and thus of the imagination.” This quote resonates deeply within Komunidad. While it steps away from natural environments, it still reveals how people live within their ecosystems, albeit a human-made one. It encourages us to reconsider our limited view of reality—challenging us to recognize our lives as part of a larger tapestry that includes social, historical, and environmental threads.
Life in the Philippines is often marked by daily struggles, making it easy to overlook these connections. However, Komunidad emphasizes the importance of empathy. By caring for others and our surroundings, we become more aware of the world beyond ourselves. This practice is fundamental in understanding our interconnectedness.
Tumala’s work challenges us to decode the network of life and recognize our role in creating a more just and caring society. His dioramas remind us that even small, seemingly isolated worlds can be part of something much bigger.
For those interested in diving deeper into this project, you can explore Komunidad here.
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