Augmented Ecologies
It might take a while before this goes mainstream, if ever, but there is a certain luster in being a plant VJ.
Augmented Ecologies is an installation by Guido Maciocci, who rigged up plants with sensors to create a kinesthetic user experience with movement, touch, sound and light. When the user touches the plants or pressure sensitive moss they create different types of musical notes.
The “wow, that’s neat” value is pretty high. But I just can’t get comfortable with engineering-nature-to-make-it-entertaining ethos. I’d much rather the plants were designed to produce music on their own, in response to natural stimuli (including the presence, but not the manipulation of humans.)
In response to your comment, Brandon, If the plants were designed to produce music themselves, wouldn’t this be human manipulation as well? I think the project shouldn’t be simply interpreted and represented as a novel “wow” biotechnological vj interface. Rather, it seems to question our relationship (or lack thereof) to nature and technology, blurring the line between the two (next nature anyone?). Perhaps we need nature to be entertaining for us to pay attention.
I found more info on this project here…..http://planetgreen.discovery.com/slideshows/tech-transport/amazing-augmented-ecologies-blends-plants-light-sound.html
Nice piece of work. Reminds me the Interactive plant growing that Christa and Laurent did back in 1993 i guess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXX7JNFD2X8&feature=related
Glad to see the project is generating some interest! Thanks again Koert for posting it.
Great projects Ricardo! I’m particularly impressed by your project Plantas Parlantes. You may be interested in another small project I did on the same theme entitled Green Village.