You are what you breathe by Nina Parenteau (CA)

An interactive installation exploring the messy intersection of nature and human impact.

We often think of human presence in landscapes as something loud—concrete, steel, noise, synthetic everything. But what if, instead of clashing with nature, we tried to sync with it?

You Are What You Breathe invites you to step into that question.
Inside a mist-filled structure built from wood, gauze, concrete, and trash, you’ll wear a gas mask—because in this space, your breath is part of the system. Every exhale activates a hidden mist mechanism, transforming waste into atmosphere, and breathing into being a quiet moment of reflection.

Inspired by photosynthesis (the natural conversion of CO₂ into life-sustaining oxygen) this piece imagines a future where urban spaces don’t just pollute less, but actively clean the air. Can the way trees filter air inspire the way we build cities?

This is more than art. It’s an experiment in coexistence. A challenge to design with, not against, the living world.