ORYZA is an interactive sculptural installation in the form of a quilt, symbolizing the thousands of Black agricultural scientists who were forcibly brought to the Americas and whose contributions were systematically erased through colonialism and slavery. By combining augmented reality (AR) and AI-enhanced storytelling, ORYZA unearths a hidden legacy of Black farmers in the U.S. and their vital contributions to agricultural technology—knowledge lost to history through both human and technological erasure.
Visitors interact with the sculpture through AR, unlocking stories of resilience, land stewardship, and innovation. This journey spans from enslaved Black land stewards to today’s resurgence of young Black farmers reclaiming land as part of a broader movement toward food sovereignty and sustainability. Through AI, ORYZA also raises questions about how technology can be used to both preserve and erase history—showing the power of digital tools in shaping our understanding of the past.
In collaboration with the MIT Food and Agriculture Club (FAC), we aim to expand the conversation around sustainable agriculture, land justice, and the erasure of history through technological processes. ORYZA invites the MIT community to engage in critical dialogues about how technology, including AI, can perpetuate historical omissions, while also offering new opportunities for reclamation and healing.
The installation features a towering bronze sculpture, adorned with holographic textile panels that symbolize the enduring legacy of Black land stewards. Using AR, visitors can scan motifs on the sculpture to access an interactive archive, revealing the narratives and symbols woven into the installation. By blending physical and digital experiences, ORYZA highlights the agricultural legacy of the African diaspora and raises essential questions about the role of technology in remembering and rewriting history
