Fireflies, Bioluminescence & the Future of Nature by RoosegaArde
On New Year’s Eve, I found myself in a place where science, art, and nature intertwined in the most mesmerizing way—a private tour of Daan Roosegaarde’s studio in Pererenan. Some moments shift your perspective, making you see things in a new light, and this was one of them. Walking through his creations, I felt like I had stepped into the future—a future where nature and technology coexist in harmony, illuminating the possibilities of a more sustainable world, and the past—bringing me back to my childhood memories where I used to see fireflies flying around in our backyard in the Bali night sky. His studio and the experience also reminded me of The Garden of Time, J. G. Ballard’s short story, where beauty is fleeting, yet desperately preserved against the encroaching forces of destruction.
Bioluminescent Plankton: The Ocean’s Secret Light
When given the choice of what to see first, I chose the bioluminescent plankton from Karangasem. I had seen their glow before in pictures, but I had never seen them in person. What happened next was a complete surprise—when I touched and gently shook the water, the plankton responded by lighting up, as if the ocean itself was breathing energy. Electrifying, I thought as my heart filled with excitement.
It was definetly a surreal and magical moment, like watching the sea whisper its luminous secrets. The way they pulsed with light, mirroring movement and energy, reminded me of the intricate balance that exists in nature. Seeing them up close reinforced my appreciation for Bali’s marine ecosystems and how much there is still so much of its beauty to protect.
The Firefly Project: A Dream of Living Light
I had also been looking forward to seeing Daan’s Firefly Garden, a project that reimagines lighting by harnessing nature’s own luminescence. Imagine, instead of artificial streetlights, living light flickers and responds to movement, offering a vision of a world where we coexist with glowing ecosystems rather than disrupting them. Growing up in Ubud, I used to see fireflies dancing at dusk. Over the years, they have become increasingly rare, and I was eager to see how this project sought to restore their presence.
Unfortunately, it was raining that evening, so I couldn’t experience the garden itself. Instead, I saw a few fireflies breeding in the lab—tiny, glowing creatures carrying the promise of a future where we bring back what has been lost. Seeing them up close was still fascinating, but it also reminded me of how much has changed. What if we could restore these natural wonders? Daan’s work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about finding ways to integrate nature into our modern world without erasing it.
A Garden of Possibilities: Flowers of the Future
Another highlight of the evening was seeing his secret project that was yet to be released at the time and discovering the potential of flowers in ways I had never imagined. Daan’s work often blurs the boundaries between nature and technology, and here, flowers became more than just aesthetic wonders; they embodied a fusion of science and art. They are not just as delicate beauties, but as symbols of regeneration and innovation. Daan’s work often reimagines nature’s elements in futuristic contexts, and here, flowers weren’t just decorations—they held the potential for something greater.
He introduced me to Glowing Garden, a project that highlights the hidden radiance of nature. Some flowers naturally reflect ultraviolet light, a phenomenon usually only visible to insects like butterflies. By carefully developing glowing flora, this project makes that hidden world visible to the human eye, creating an ethereal experience that deepens our connection to the natural world. Imagine seeing the world like a butterfly.
These glowing flowers, cultivated in Roosegaarde’s private nurseries in both Indonesia and the Netherlands, symbolize the possibilities of a future where nature and technology intertwine in a way that enhances rather than disrupts. The extensive research and careful testing behind the project ensure that the well-being of the flowers remains a priority, reinforcing the idea that innovation can coexist with preservation.
We also had the opportunity to talk about the changing landscapes of Bali, how modernization has altered its natural beauty, and how technology could be used to restore rather than replace what we’ve lost. The idea that flowers, much like fireflies and plankton, could inspire sustainable solutions was both poetic and practical.
SPARK: Rethinking Fireworks for a Sustainable Future
Although I didn’t get to see it, we spoke about one of Daan’s most fascinating projects is SPARK, a biodegradable fireworks alternative that has been showcased in ten different countries, including a collaboration with Hermès in Ginza. He spoke about how traditional fireworks increase air pollution tenfold and terrify animals, including his beloved rescue dog, Q.
“Traditional fireworks can be cool but they come at a cost. I started to wonder—how can we keep the tradition but modernize it? How can we show the beauty of a more sustainable world?”
I couldn’t help but think about how every New Year’s Eve, the skies explode with fireworks, leaving behind residue and pollution. What if, instead, we embraced something like SPARK—a spectacle of light that doesn’t harm the very world we are celebrating?
Daan’s work is more than just innovation; it’s an invitation to think differently, to imagine a world where light is alive, the ocean glows, and technology exists not to replace nature, but to enhance it. That night in Pererenan wasn’t just a tour—it was a glimpse into a better future, one that we should be part of.
Leaving his Studio Roossegaard in Bali, I carried with me a renewed sense of curiosity, a longing for the fireflies of my childhood, and a hope that one day, we will find our way back to a world where nature and human ingenuity shine together.