Botanical Soundscapes

Within the sphere of art, it has been proven time and time again that creativity has no limits. Lucy Shuter’s work confirms this. As an imaginative artist, and recently graduated student at BIMM Institute, Shuter has embarked on a resourceful journey merging music, plants, and machinery in her interactive sonic art installation.

Titled ‘Botanical Soundscapes’, her project aims to inspire a deeper human connection with the natural world around through the use of music and sound. This development is more than just a visually pleasing experience. Though the beauty of natural life on display should not be underestimated! Through “utilizing technology that explores the musical potential of plants”, as Lucy Shuter explained, a door is opened to explore a deeper understanding of our world’s environmental value, pointing towards a greater and more sustainable future.

Via touch, attendees can experience the melodic sounds of plants engineered by Shuter herself. Through hooking up plants to electrodes, electrical signals can be received and converted into real life sound waves and hence produce vibrations and sounds pleasing to the ear. By doing so, Botanical Soundscapes constructs a musical escapism accessible to all members of the public. Shuter described how “(This) project started from a desire to encourage more sustainable actions towards the planet. Plants are often overlooked and only seen as a resource for humans. My work raises attention to the fascinating intelligence and beauty of plants in hope to inspire a deeper appreciation

written by Cerys Owen

for them. By exploiting plants for human satisfaction, a disconnection from nature is reflected. Consequently, a relationship between humans and the natural world is largely disconnected. Through placing emphasis on the power of our environment, plant blindness can eventually be reduced.”

Botanical Soundscapes’ general ethos can provide us all with a revived sense of curiosity and recognition for our beautiful planet. Amidst the severity of the climate crisis, projects like Lucy’s Botanical Soundscapes are essential to preserving hope and optimism for our future. Symbolising an empowering fusion of art, Shuter’s creation raises a heightened ecological consciousness for all humans to see and feel.

Having several festival installations booked for this season, Shuter hopes to see Botanical Soundscapes continue to grow and share its message to a wider audience. She hopes to hold more exhibitions open to the public in the nearby future, alongside collaborating with other artists to create something special.

Instagram: @botanicalsoundscapes