Future Mountain: An Interactive Fire, Water and Climate Model
The Regional Hydro-Ecologic Simulation System (RHESSYs), developed by Dr. Naomi Tague, builds upon rich data of landscape dynamics, compiled from thousands of sources, to simulate “how landscapes work.” As part of his Burn Cycle Project, artist Ethan Turpin began iterating sketches with her input, constantly refining a visual model. Based on the sketches, David Gordon wrote the custom software to process and display the RHESSYs data sets within a video game environment. In exhibits, users manipulate settings to see how chance and choices may play out in real world landscapes. The 3D visualization is grounded in the current scientific understanding of how climate change affects the terrain through the cycles of fire and water. Future Mountain was first shown to the public in April 2019 in the “Burn Cycle Revisited” exhibit at the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop.
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