Refik Anadol’s Great Nature Model: Turkey
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Türkiye İş Bankası, in collaboration with MEXT Technology Center, has successfully completed the fieldwork for the “Great Nature Model: Turkey” project, led by world-renowned media artist Refik Anadol.
The project integrates artificial intelligence, environmental data, and digital art to preserve and visualize Turkey’s biodiversity. Over a period of five months (July – November 2024), data was collected from 33 national parks across Turkey, including audio recordings, high-resolution imagery, and environmental scans. This data, combined with academic research, has been processed into an extensive AI-powered database, forming the foundation of an interactive digital platform called the “Living Encyclopedia”.
Bridging AI, Big Data, and Digital Art
The Great Nature Model: Turkey offers three primary modules as research, create and dream for researchers, artists, and nature enthusiasts. Research Module provides access to scientific knowledge on Turkey’s natural ecosystems. Create Module enables users to generate AI-driven visual representations of plants and animals. Dream Module utilizes AI-trained models to reimagine and transform nature’s visual patterns, creating immersive digital art experiences.
The project not only acts as an educational resource but also serves as a platform for artistic innovation. Through AI, machine learning, and generative algorithms, users can explore Turkey’s natural landscapes in ways never seen before. In addition, Refik Anadol is developing a data sculpture based on Turkey’s rich biodiversity using machine learning models trained on real-time environmental data.
Hakan Aran: “A Pioneering AI-Art Collaboration in Türkiye İş Bankası’s Second Century”
At the official launch event, Türkiye İş Bankası General Manager Hakan Aran emphasized the project’s significance:
“This is the first AI-driven nature-inspired art project in Turkey. By collecting and analyzing environmental data from 33 national parks, we are providing researchers, artists, and academics with an unparalleled digital resource. As Türkiye İş Bankası enters its second century, we are proud to support a project that seamlessly merges art, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability.”
Refik Anadol: “Opening a New Door to Turkey’s Natural Heritage”
Reflecting on the project, Refik Anadol stated:
“Our goal is to visualize the unseen rhythms of nature through data and artificial intelligence. By collecting images, sounds, and movements from Turkey’s diverse ecosystems, we can redefine how people perceive and interact with the natural world. This project serves as a gateway to discovering and preserving Turkey’s unparalleled biodiversity.”
Özgür Burak Akkol: “A Landmark AI & Data Project”
MEXT Chairman Özgür Burak Akkol emphasized the role of AI and big data in sustainability:
“MEXT is honored to be a part of this visionary project. Our role in AI transformation is critical, and through the ‘AI EDIH Türkiye’ consortium, we have joined the European Digital Innovation Hub Network to accelerate AI-driven sustainability efforts. By integrating AI, open-source academic data, and cutting-edge technology, we are proud to support the digital and green transformation of Turkey’s industrial and environmental sectors.”
A Sustainable Future Through AI and Digital Innovation
The Great Nature Model: Turkey is a testament to the power of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and digital art in creating a lasting environmental legacy.
With support from Türkiye İş Bankası, technological expertise from MEXT, and artistic vision from Refik Anadol, this project is set to reshape how we document, analyze, and appreciate Turkey’s natural wonders for generations to come.
