Senescent Generator | Futurecity & Shezad Dawood
Cambridge BioMedical Campus
We recently worked with London-based cultural agency Future city to document the launch of Senescent Generator, a major new public artwork at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Created by the internationally acclaimed artist Shezad Dawood and commissioned by Prologis, the sculpture takes the form of a Yew tree. It’s designed to be more than just a landmark; it’s a gathering space and a spot for quiet reflection on the rear lawn at Abcam. Alongside photographing the sculpture, we also filmed the official launch event, providing raw, unedited video footage to capture the occasion in motion.
The Narrative Behind the Lens
We wanted our photography to reflect this duality of healing and danger, alongside the collaborative “networks” that exist between plant roots—a fitting metaphor for the research taking place across the campus.
Our focus was to produce a set of images that showcase the sculpture’s dual nature. The piece draws inspiration from the Yew tree (Taxus baccata), which is a symbol of resilience and regeneration. One of the most fascinating details the artist explored is the tree’s biochemistry: while its foliage is poisonous, it’s also the source of vital anti-cancer compounds.
Documenting a Living Transformation
II — The Surface
Because the sculpture is fabricated in welded brass, it is designed to undergo a natural process of transformation. Unlike many public commissions, this one isn’t meant to stay pristine. It will darken with age and encourage organic growth.
When we were on-site, we looked for those specific moments where nature begins to “inhibit” or take over the metal:
PLATE 01 · ORGANIC TEXTURE
PLATE 02 · APPARATUS।
The Evolving Patina
Showing the deepening tones of the brass and the green oxidation already starting to pull through.
Micro-habitats
Focusing on the deep grooves designed to trap moisture, where we found the first signs of lichen germinating and spiders starting to weave.
Seasonal Growth
Capturing how the surrounding planting is designed to shift and grow around the work, eventually making the sculpture part of the landscape rather than something separate from it.
Connecting Art and Science
The project is accompanied by a soundscape created by Teresa Winter, using frequency recordings of local Yew trees taken by Dr Michal Mos and Marta Kluba. Through our imagery, we aimed to bridge the gap between the physical brass structure and this invisible soundscape. The result is a visual record of a multi-sensory space where campus staff and visitors can step away from their desks and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.
PLATE 03 Repose
PLATE 04 · CONVERSATION
PLATE 05 · A PAGE TURNING।
PLATE 06 Conversation
PLATE 07 · BRASS UNDULATIONS
By documenting the “Senescent Generator” from both wide environmental angles and intimate macro perspectives, we’ve helped Futurecity and their partners show how art can successfully integrate into a long-term ecological and scientific environment.