Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

MoMA to Exhibit 'Wetland,' an Immersive Digital Swamp Installation

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City will present "Wetland," an immersive exhibition by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, opening October 12, 2026. The installation uses advanced technology to simulate a digital swamp ecosystem.

The exhibition "Wetland" utilizes macro photogrammetry and game-engine software to recreate the sights and sounds of a large-scale swamp. Wall screens will display 3D scans of real wetlands, accompanied by digitally altered field recordings and human vocals.

Artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen describes the installation as designed to "envelop you" with dynamic visuals and sounds. The core of the exhibition is a single, evolving artwork called Berl-Berl, inspired by the swamps near Berlin that are threatened by urban development.

Steensen collaborated with Berlin's natural history museum, employing photography, sound recording, and archival research to document humanity's relationship with wetland habitats. Berl-Berl was first shown in a nightclub in Berlin.

The installation is presented as a constantly changing work, with folklore elements sometimes incorporated. For the MoMA iteration, a giant tree representing the Slavic folklore figure Triglav will appear, and the shape-shifting water spirit Nøkken may also be featured.

Steensen notes that in the past, people used songs to navigate and map ever-changing landscapes like rivers and swamps. He uses technology as a medium to connect with nature, illuminating overlooked details of wetland environments.

MoMA's senior curator Paola Antonelli highlighted the exhibition's focus on nature and consciousness through technological means. "Wetland" will be on view at MoMA from October 12, 2026, to March 7, 2027.

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