# Flowers at the Edge *My latest artworks, process, and impacts of creative community* By [earthbits](https://paragraph.com/@earthbits) · 2024-07-12 nft, art, nature --- This summer, I lived in [Edge City](https://www.edgecity.live/) - a 'society incubator' bringing people together at the forefront of technology, science, and culture to accelerate human progress. I created a series of artworks inspired by my time there and the community: [ ![](https://assets.manifold.xyz/optimized/f5ab40f230365e7fc90be2b0eb10e3bb8694fd74a058ee212eb847fef64c6dbd/w_800.jpg) https://app.manifold.xyz:443 Edge Esmeralda Flora -------------------- These works are a recollection of the environment and community at Edge City / Esmeralda. Each piece is derived from a 3D scan of an Esmeralda-based flower, includes live footage of the plant, time of capture, and species. ](https://app.manifold.xyz/draw/edge-esmeralda) You can [collect](https://app.manifold.xyz/draw/edge-esmeralda) this piece as a free, open edition NFT – available until the next season of Edge City. You will receive one of three flowers based on a set of probabilities. 🌻 What I've loved about creating with nature is that a big part of my creative process involves being outside – in necessary contrast to computer time. It's a practice of presence, remembrance of what I value, reliance on the environment, and beauty. Through repeating this process, I've become sensitive to my surroundings. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/068cbc4caa34e064c40ea32dbf7ed149.jpg) Some of my 2023 explorations: lessons from an empty garden In this article, I'll take you through my creative process and how I created this series. Let's get started! ### (1) Collecting Specimens 🔎 The first step in my process involves spending time in nature and capturing what catches my eye. Plant numero uno in this series, Vitis Vinifera (2% chance of getting it if you mint!), came from owners of a local venue. They went above and beyond giving us access to their space, so I wanted to capture some of their property for them as a memento. Other flora came from local farmers' markets and from walks around town. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/60c90cd0550287e740d73d3c36c5f565.png) **Favorite tools** \- [Picture this](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/picturethis-plant-identifier/id1252497129): plant identifier app \- [Merlin](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell-lab/id773457673): birding app **Favorite discoveries** \- Observing slug movement using timelapse \- Recognizing repeat flowers across locations \- Learning about hummingbird dive bombing ### (2) 3D Scans 🤳🏼 Next comes scanning which uses a process of [photogrammetry](https://www.sharetextures.com/blog/what_is_photogrammetry) to stitch together ~200 images to create a 3D model. I taught a workshop at Edge on the process! Check it out [here](https://x.com/justinmmelillo/status/1800918751648571524). Teaching others in turn inspired me to do more scanning for this project 😄 ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e4844b7580fb61a85d9e29dbfd012132.png) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e7c449746909d73967a94092f01a9b08.png) **Favorite tools** \- Polycam \- Kiri Engine ### (3) 3D Manipulation 🧊 ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/3da0be61150a28bc7f63e207f20208f6.png) At this stage, you'll now have a bada$$ 3D model of a beautiful, intricate plant - much wow. For this series, I played with a variety of programs that can handle 3D files and explored different aesthetics that resonated. **Favorite tools** \- Cinema4D \- Touchdesigner ### (4) Telling the story ✨ ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e496d23e4df997e4e87332173e0eefa6.png) I've been thinking about how to tell the _story_ of the work as _part_ of the work. Not all work is suited to this – but there is something that feels particularly relevant here. As we move further and further away from our hunter-gatherer lives, there is a deep need to recall our connectedness to nature and stillness; it serves as a counterbalance to our zippy, technologic lives. I hope to evoke: * a connection to nature * the wonder found in presence, and the uniqueness that can be found in any moment * beauty In this series, I experimented with bringing in timestamps, narrative text, music, and actual photos/video of the plant. It's an exploration I'll continue. **Favorite tools** \- AfterEffects \- iPhone cam \- [Suno.ai](http://Suno.ai) ### Fin I found myself deeply inspired by my time in Edge City. The following moments in particular inspired this series: * The [Monaverse](https://x.com/monaverse) hackathon and teaching a workshop on photogrammetry * Learning about [3D sculpting](https://x.com/MetageistVR), [XR, and life on Mars](https://x.com/syntonikka/status/1803120335518392555) * Vanessa's talk on world building – I was particularly moved by [music's impact on character narrative](https://x.com/va2rosa/status/1801664049517854951) * The city itself: for its beautiful Californian flora I'm looking forward to continuing explorations around narrative, remembrance, and participation via my works, at the next Edge, and beyond. ### 🔔 Subscribe below to receive occasional musings from me, and [collect a free flower here](https://app.manifold.xyz/draw/edge-esmeralda)🌻 [ ![](https://assets.manifold.xyz/optimized/f5ab40f230365e7fc90be2b0eb10e3bb8694fd74a058ee212eb847fef64c6dbd/w_800.jpg) https://app.manifold.xyz:443 Edge Esmeralda Flora -------------------- These works are a recollection of the environment and community at Edge City / Esmeralda. Each piece is derived from a 3D scan of an Esmeralda-based flower, includes live footage of the plant, time of capture, and species. ](https://app.manifold.xyz/draw/edge-esmeralda) --- *Originally published on [earthbits](https://paragraph.com/@earthbits/flowers-at-the-edge)*