Tree of Mind 2025
Tree of Mind is a 9-minute interactive augmented reality (AR) environment prototype composed of distorted microscopy images of astrocytes- glial brain cells- that support synapse formation and may serve as biomarkers for depression. The original image sets, created by researchers involved in the two collaborating neuroscience laboratories, are processed through an AI 3D object generator that intentionally misrepresents the data. The abstracted forms are then further manipulated by Duff, resulting in a surreal AR digital landscape that gallery visitors can physically move through.
These digital and AI-generated environments are in dialogue with a biomedia sculpture—what might be called a “living creature”—featuring a DIY Co2 incubator and 3D printed media based on a 2D microscopy image of astrocyte- able to incubate and grow actual astrocyte cells. These cells are inoculated with 5-MeO-DMT, a powerful psychedelic compound derived from the “Colorado River Toad.” This substance is currently used in both scientific research and therapeutic practices for depression, and has long-standing ceremonial uses among Indigenous peoples in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.
Visitors are invited to take a meditative, non-drug-induced psychedelic journey through a micro-to-macrocosmic world that bridges the physical, digital, and virtual.
Created by Tagny Duff with Geneviève Metropolis
Scientific consultation and lab support/access: Dr. Naguib Mechawar and MA Davoli (Mechawar Lab/McGill/Douglas Research Centre/Brain Bank) and Dr. Ciaran Murphy (Murphy-Royal Lab/UdM).
Creation of protocols and aesthetics of care applied in AR interactivity: Collaboration Tagny Duff with Dr. Joe Flanders (Refuge) and Geneviève Metropolis.
3D object animation concept, design and creation: Tagny Duff with AI generator.
2D images of astrocytes: Mathias Mathias Guayasamin Alfaro, Anthony Bosson and Manon Duquenne – representing the Murphy-Royal Lab (images captured using a custom two-photon laser-scanning microscope (Scientifica). Astrocytes stained with Vimentin on slides by Liam O’Leary captured with brightfield microscopy by MA Davoli and Claudia Belliveau representing the Mechawar Lab. Additional astrocyte slides created by Christa Hercher and captured via florescent microscopy by Claudia Belliveau at the Mechawar Labs.
Audio and narration for animation: Tagny Duff with custom programmed AI voice changer.
3D sculpture concept and design: Tagny Duff with 3D sculpture fabrication and printing by Rino Coté. Additional 3D modeling: Martin Giguere.
AR design: Tagny Duff with Geneviève Metropolis
DIY protocol for Co2 incubator: Dr. Andrew Pelling
Grant writing support: Paul Couillard
Funded by The Canada Council for the Arts