Be the bee is an interactive exhibit featuring a 3D city map of New York City, where projection mapping visualizes how bees forage, navigate urban landscapes and interact with different environments, revealing the hidden microbiomes they carry. This project is in collaboration with New York University Professor Elizabeth Henaff who specializes in bioinformatics and plant biology.

This project is base on the research of Professor Elizabeth Henaff called :Holobiont Urbanism: sampling urban beehives reveals cities’ metagenome. And it highlights how bees are not only valuable for their honey but also as highly effective foragers in urban environments. As they forage, they carry crucial information about the environmental microbiome they encounter, offering insights into the ecosystem’s health.

This study underscores the importance of mutualism among all living creatures, suggesting that these interconnections could be key to fostering a healthier environment for future generations.

Concept sketch & 3D Modeling