Multimedia artist Shruti Nagaraj documents the life‑cycle of Bengaluru’s mango harvest through 3D scans, ASCII‑style typography and ambient sound. The project, showcased as an AR experience at London’s Saatchi Gallery, is slated to return to India soon.
Key Takeaways
- Shruti Nagaraj digitally scanned mango trees in Bengaluru’s groves.
- The “Maavu” project fuses ASCII‑inspired typography, 3D models, and ambient sound.
- Climate change and water‑intensive AI data centers threaten traditional mango varieties.
London‑based multimedia artist Shruti Nagaraj returned to her hometown Bengaluru last summer with a single purpose – to preserve the fleeting mango season before it disappears under climate stress and AI‑driven water consumption. “The ongoing climate crisis and the rise of AI data centres guzzling water resources are destabilising the mango ecosystem,” she explains, prompting a comprehensive digital archive of the fruit’s growth, consumption, and decay.
Building a Multidimensional Archive
Named “Maavu,” the project captures the GKVK mango groves in North Bengaluru using photogrammetric 3D scans, ASCII‑styled typographic overlays, and field recordings of market chatter, waste, and ripening sounds. At the British Art Fair, the work was presented as an augmented reality (AR) installation at London’s Saatchi Gallery, allowing visitors to explore the mango life‑cycle through their smartphones, layering visual, auditory, and interactive elements into an immersive experience.
Research Methodology and Field Work
Nagaraj’s on‑ground research involved ambient recordings from mango orchards, interviews with vendors, and 3D scanning of both trees and individual fruits. She also documented the bustling markets of Jayamahal and the surrounding environmental noise. This year, Karnataka’s mango output fell by roughly 5 lakh tonnes, a decline attributed to El Niño‑driven weather extremes, rising temperatures, and delayed monsoon rains that leave large portions of the harvest wasted.
Cultural and Ecological Significance
Beyond its artistic flair, “Maavu” serves as a cultural time capsule, preserving the sensory and linguistic heritage tied to Bengaluru’s beloved fruit. Nagaraj plans to integrate real‑time weather and botanical data, making the archive accessible through multilingual design. Funding is currently being sought, but she emphasizes that bringing this immersive experience back to the city and its people remains a top priority.
Conclusion
“Maavu” illustrates how art, technology, and environmental advocacy can converge to safeguard a disappearing agro‑biodiversity. It underscores the urgent need for policies that protect water resources and support climate‑resilient farming, lest the mango—central to regional culture—vanish from the landscape.