Designed by Daan Walder, Solum Venenum is an interactive installation that explores the hidden environmental damage from illegal synthetic drug production in the Netherlands.
Through body-tracking technology, visitors navigate and interact with a digital landscape polluted by drug waste.
The hidden footprint of illegal drug labs
The illegal production of synthetic drugs, such as amphetamines and MDMA, poses considerable ecological and public health risks in the Netherlands. Europol data indicates that the production of each kilogram of MDMA leads to the creation of 6 to 10 kilograms of toxic chemical waste, with an average dump size of 800 kilograms per lab.
This hazardous waste is often directly dumped into nature, on streets, or in open water, posing serious threats to ecosystems and human health. The Dutch police reports about 200 cases of such dumping annually, yet it's estimated that this figure represents merely a third of the actual occurrences that remain undetected.
Investigating the largest drug dump site
Adopting a hands-on fieldwork methodology, Daan undertook an investigation into the largest illegal drug dump site ever discovered in the Netherlands. Employing a broad range of technological methods, from audio recordings to photogrammetry, he tried to record every aspect of the site. Resulting in a digital archive, reflecting the site's physical state and providing a new look at this concealed environmental affliction.
Transforming data into a digital landscape
The installation features body-tracking sensors that monitor visitors' movements within the space. As participants walk through, their actions influence a dynamic digital landscape, which visually represents areas contaminated by drug waste. The use of real data and interactive elements allows visitors to engage with the installation on a personal level, providing a direct connection between their interactions and the simulated environmental damage. This fusion of technology and narrative not only makes the hidden consequences of drug production visible but also invites viewers to reflect on their role in addressing these critical issues.
