Installation
Made by Yiqing Tian, Wenxi Liao, Zhiwen Deng
Made by Yiqing Tian, Wenxi Liao, Zhiwen Deng
Phytolalia is an installation embodying the sociality of plants. With the help of air and fungi in the soil, plants are in close liaison with one another in subtle ways. Inspired by their volatile and underground communications, Phytolalia sheds light on the invisible mechanism of information exchange among plants via rhythmic lighting. The installation embodies the sociality of plants in a simple optical metaphor, emphasizing the agency of plants - they are, as intelligent entities like us, active players in the interrelated ecologies.
This project is related to urban nature. Inspired by the dynamic connection between plants, the project aims to debunk the myth that Cities and Nature are two separate systems and enlighten people to think about the relationship between Cities and Nature in the future.
This project is related to urban nature. Inspired by the dynamic connection between plants, the project aims to debunk the myth that Cities and Nature are two separate systems and enlighten people to think about the relationship between Cities and Nature in the future.
Questions
- How are the development and modernization of cities changing the relationship between people and nature?
- Are Cities and Nature two separate systems or not?
- How can we live in harmony with nature?
Emerging ourselves in nature with two experiences
Apart from artificial city greening, as intelligent entities with initiative, plants themselves are also trying to integrate into the city, but we humans don’t accept their integration and don’t understand their connection.
Plan & Flow
Plants don’t have complex sensory or nervous systems like animals do. They look pretty passive, basking in the sun, and responding instinctively to inputs like light and water. Plants produce all kinds of chemical signals in response to their environments, and they can share those signals.
Inspired by the plants’ communication approach, we made the installation Phytolalia. It is triggered by abstract sounds and sheds rhythmic lights reflecting the invisible mechanism of information exchange among plants. This installation is to help people reconnect with nature.
Inspired by the plants’ communication approach, we made the installation Phytolalia. It is triggered by abstract sounds and sheds rhythmic lights reflecting the invisible mechanism of information exchange among plants. This installation is to help people reconnect with nature.
Two MP3 players emit abstract sounds, symbolizing the urban and human world.
The flashing breathing lights represent the communication among plants; when affected by external sounds, the light spreads through the bushes.
In this way, the city and nature merge in a blend of sound and light.
Fabrication
Final Outcome
This installation has left a deep impression on many people by emboding the plants’ communication.
Through this teamwork project, I have learnt observation experiment. By getting close to nature, we have a deeper understanding of the urban ecosystem.
Life is equal. In order to achieve the sustainable development of the city in the future, it’s necessary for people to treat nature friendly.