In ‘The Plant Room’ strange new things are made and remade. What emerges is not in our control.
In this environmentally themed installation digital captures of nature are transformed by algorithms into hybrid new forms which are experienced via sound and projected image. Existing only for a few minutes, these entities then disappear forever leaving only a residue of their short life. Sensors trigger the transformation just as humans inadvertently trigger unintended change in ecological systems simply by turning up.
Each experience in the space is unique, generated through the interactions between sound, image and complex algorithms. Natural objects are transformed through unique re-compilations each time the space is entered or new movements occur. Synthesised sounds are associated and created by each image generated and shared via audio-exciters (audio transducers) as well as traditional speakers.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Images (in this gallery) by Nimmy Santosh
Like all AwhiWorld’s work this installation is site-specific and designed specifically to support the spirit of place, in this case the work was specifically created for Whangarei Art Museum – WAM (Northland NZ’s Regional Gallery) and supports the nearby Whangarei CBD. The flora images were captured in and around central Whangarei (particularly Botanica – the regional botanical gardens – and Calfer Park)). Flora is used as an spiritual connection point between WAM and the surrounding city.
Unfortunately WAM, a significant regional NZ gallery, has been hidden behind a tourist information centre by the local City Council. The exhibition aims to lift its spirit and ideally bring attention to its plight. Over a series of months content will be updated linking the exhibition (and WAM) to content captured in different Whangarei City locations.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Open source and maker cultural objects, code and practices underpin the practice behind the work and inform the choices of materials and technologies used. The Plant Room celebrates emerging ecologies where rigid concepts of digital, physical and spiritual are in flux.
Technically, Kim Newall – Creative Technologist – used Raspberry Pie computers (with attached micro cameras) pick up movement and request the main computer (via the different algorithms) to generate an image and choose or generate a sound.
Coding languages used in this work are
Pure Data (for the sound), Processing (for the image conversion), Python/Open
CV (for the cameras) and Open Sound Control (OSC) to mesh these different
processes together at meta level. Linux is the underlying computer operating system.
The exhibition launches Northland, NZ’s first dedicated digital interactive gallery exhibition space. It is designed to activate and celebrate WAM and Whangarei District.
