Studio Roosegaarde has unveiled Grow, a 20,000-square-metre light installation designed to highlight the beauty of agriculture while also improving crop growth.

The Rotterdam-based studio, led by designer Daan Roosegaarde, used red, blue and ultraviolet lights to transform a field into a dynamic artwork. well as creating a visual spectacle, the installation serves as a prototype for how certain "light recipes" can be used to increase plant growth and reduce the use of pesticides by up to 50 per cent.

Research suggests that certain combinations of light can not only strengthen plant metabolism but also create resistance to both pests and disease. Although the technology has been used in greenhouses, Roosegaarde saw an opportunity to test its potential at a larger scale. His plan is to take it around the world, with different light recipes formulated to suit different crops.