a project by Francesco Scarel
teaser
PHONOSYNTHESIS music from alien species
Phonosynthesis deals with a specific phenomena linked to climate change: the increasing number of invasive alien species (IAS).
aims to highlight such problems through artistic languages.
Instead of a classic human-centric approach which is talking about IAS, I decided to let the alien plants talk about themselves, by means of an artistic sound-based interactive installation.
how communicatetoCLIMATECHANGE?
IAS have the possibility to expand rapidly to higher latitudes and different altitudes as the climate warms, and this process changes the biodiversity of the affected areas, out-pacing local Thespecies.project
1st step collect the plants, this means going out the territory, spot different species and put them in vases.
This must be done with a botanist or other scientist who can recognize the species. In my case I asked Dr. Michela Sesso to Wejoin.went in two different Natural Reserves close to the city of Trieste, Italy.
The amount of water, the wind, and human touch can affect such electric current, producing data that can be associated with different musical notes played by electronic instruments.
2nd step consisted of soldering several specific circuits led by Arduino chips and connecting those to the plants by attaching two open wires to the leaves and stems. In this way a very small electric current is passing through the plant and is affected by its conductivity.
Each alien species was assigned to a particular music instrument typical from the plant’s original country. So for instance Reynoiutra Japonica was playing Koto, while Robinia Pseudoacacia, originally from the Appalachian Mountains, sounded like native american chantings.
The link between IAS and climate change was introduced before a concert made by a musician (Andrea Gulli) and myself “playing” the plants.
3rd step let the plants make a concert!
The public is invited to make the plants sound by touching them, producing a beautiful sound environment on the venue and creating perfect occasion for an informal debate on climate change.
An handmade book of recycled paper was also realized by a local artisan (Annamaria Sgubin), containing descriptions, curiosities and drawings.
SISSAPhonosynthesisaprojectbyFrancescoScarelmusicAndreaGullibotanistMichelaSessocodingadviceAlessandroFontanahandmadebookAnnamariaSgubindevelopedfor-InternationalSchoolofAdvancedStudiesincollaborationwithMCS-MasterinScienceCommunicationDobialab2021