Ryo Yamada's Installation Reflects on Future Sea Levels at Edinburgh Art Festival 2026

At the Edinburgh Art Festival 2026, Japanese artist Ryo Yamada showcases a thought-provoking installation named In Vitro / Zero Metre Above Sea Level at Summerhall Arts. This architectural piece, part of his ongoing Zero Metre Above Sea Level series, aims to address the impending sea-level rise due to climate change.

Standing at 3.8 meters high and nearly eight meters wide, the installation is designed to visualize sea levels projected 20,000 years into the future. The structure is strategically placed 79 meters above current sea level, allowing visitors to engage with both the present and a distant future as they gaze out through its expansive windows.

Handcrafted from delicate pine timber strips, the installation's framework may appear fragile but is designed for remarkable stability. The interplay of natural light through the non-woven fabric adds to the ethereal quality, creating a dynamic atmosphere that shifts throughout the day. This invites a deep reflection on humanity's relationship with the Earth's changing climate.

Source: www.designboom.com