Plant (Bertholletia excelsea)

Plant (Bertholletia excelsea), 2024. Cibachrome print, 33cm x 33cm. JPEG 4320 X 4320 pixels. Following the protocols of the blockchain that define a space protected from destruction, manipulation, and the passing of time, artist Debora Hirsch decided to bring back to life and preserve nearly extinct plants within the realm of AI and physical painting. These endangered species are recorded on the blockchain, granting them an eternal virtual existence, while serving as a symbolic memory of what we have lost and what we risk losing. Plants, frames, landscapes, architecture details and monolithic birds all together, aim at emphasizing the complexity of interconnections that belong to ecosystems while evoking the delicate equilibrium and transience of nature. BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA Native: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela. Assessment: Vulnerable. Threats: Deforestation and unsustainable harvesting practices. PLANT: Brazil Nut Tree, crucial for livelihoods and forest conservation. Its edible seeds are a vital non-timber forest product. Supports biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable harvesting and habitat protection.