W.E.I.R.D. (Wilderness Emulation Implicates Rapid Destruction)

W.E.I.R.D. explores the tension between humans and nature, illusion and authenticity, examining how contemporary society perceives, imitates, and reinterprets nature, and how these representations shape our relationship with the real world.

"Everything you can imagine, nature has already created."

This famous quote by Albert Einstein encapsulates the essence that guides research in the field of biomimicry, the scientific discipline that studies biological systems found in nature in order to replicate their principles and processes, with the aim of developing innovative technological solutions for industry and research. 
This concept has its roots in the narratives of the past. The myth of Daedalus and his son Icarus, who built wings of wax to escape from the labyrinth, is an emblematic example of how human beings, by emulating natural elements, can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, driven by enthusiasm, Icarus flew too close to the sun, melting his wings and plunging into the sea.
Greek mythology thus shows us the tragic consequences of attempting to challenge the limits imposed by natural laws.
W.E.I.R.D. explores the complex relationship between humans and nature, between illusion and authenticity, focusing on contemporary society's ability to distinguish between what is real and what is merely an imitation. The project raises questions about how our experience of the world is mediated, filtered, or replaced by copies, reconstructions, and simulations of nature itself. 

Nicolò Rinaldi's research develops in diverse contexts: from experiential and highly aesthetic places, such as theme parks and shopping malls, to scientific and technological realities where the replication of the environment takes on a cognitive and epistemic connotation. Through photography, the artist investigates how nature is perceived and reinterpreted, and how its representation influences our relationship with the real world.

​The project has been selected for funding under the "Strategia Fotografia 2024" fellowship, promoted by the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity of the Italian Ministry of Culture.

"W.E.I.R.D. - The Exhibition" Genova, Palazzo Ducale, November 2025.

The show visually translates these themes into an immersive experience. Photographs, sculptural installations, and digital 3D models coexist with technological devices such as tablets, smartphones, and video projections, creating a connection between reality, technology, and the artificial world. A soundtrack of digitally reworked recordings completes the exhibition, immersing the viewer in a context where the natural and the artificial are intertwined.

The result is a space for reflection where the perception of reality is questioned, inviting the public to confront the fine line between direct experience and simulation.