Gambie river, national parc of Niokolo Koba, Senegal
Biophilia: ” the passionate love of life and all living things... whether a person, a plant, an idea or a social group ”
Reflections on Biophilia and Space
The concept of biophilia, widely used in the fields of architecture and urban planning, seeks to strengthen the bond between humans and the natural world through the integration of nature—direct or indirect—into built environments and public spaces. Beyond this functional approach, I believe biophilia can also inspire how we design shared living spaces, by fostering connection, conviviality, and exchange.
I think of the symbolic image of the African baobab, a central and unifying point of village life. A space for gathering, storytelling, and connection. In this spirit, art can also play this catalytic role by creating spaces of exchange through the presence of images, textures, objects, or works inspired by the living world.
The indirect experience of nature—through images, video, sculpture, color, or organic forms—helps rekindle the connection that we, as a species, have nurtured with our natural environment over millennia. Today, as we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, this need for connection with nature is more vital than ever.
Research shows that even symbolic contact with natural elements reduces stress, enhances cognitive functions, and increases overall well-being. Biophilia is therefore not just a theoretical concept, but a sensory and emotional necessity.
The biologist Edward O. Wilson popularized this idea in the 1980s, at a time when rapid urbanization threatened to sever humanity’s ties with the natural world. Today, this concept deeply resonates in my artistic work, which seeks to revive that intimate, instinctive, vital connection between the living world and ourselves.
Biophilia and Art — An Art of Reconnecting with the Living
Biophilia emerges in works that draw their breath from within us, around us—wherever life pulses. Paintings, photographs, sculptures, murals, and videos become bridges between the human and the living.
In the rush of our everyday lives, these creations offer a break. A soft pause. A moment to breathe differently. Through the magic of imagination, art enters our daily spaces and revives that deep connection to life.
A work with saltwater textures whispers to our senses: the scent of the sea, the rhythm of the waves, the shimmer of light in a fleeting moment. The body relaxes, the mind drifts. And suddenly, through imagination alone, we find ourselves elsewhere—on an inner journey, carried toward distant, vibrant, abundant cultures. A painting sketches a simple gesture, the curve of a silhouette, the swirl of a bustling alley. A color evokes a spice, a scent, a warmth.
Each detail becomes an invitation. The mind awakens, creativity flows. And suddenly, routine feels a little lighter.
These works are not just meant to be contemplated—they are meant to be inhabited. They invite us to slow down, to listen, to feel the world differently. They are refuge spaces, where imagination and memory meet.
The word “biophilia” was first introduced by a psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm, who declared that biophilia is “the passionate love of life and all living things... whether a person, a plant, an idea or a social group”.
Biophilia is a term formed from the Greek root “bio” (life) and the suffix - phile (“who loves”). Biophilia is the love of living things.
