multimedia project: audio-reactive animations, visual documentation, digital data visualization
biophony.art
︎ RESIDENCY ART PROJECT
BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE is an interdisciplinary art project that delves into the harmonious relationship between nature, technology, and art. Conceived during a unique residency at MOLINOLAB SANCTI SPIRITUS, SALAMANCA, SPAIN, in May 2024, this project brought together nine artists from diverse fields to collaboratively explore how digital technology can capture, interpret, and express the dynamic interactions of biological systems through artistic practice.
The vision of BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE is to create a profound, immersive experience that transcends conventional boundaries between the natural world and digital expression. Employing innovative tools such as SymBioWare technology, which translates real-time biological data from plants into MIDI formats, the project seeks to uncover the hidden rhythms of nature and reimagine how these can be interpreted through creative practice.
The objectives of the project are threefold: first, to foster a dialogue between nature, art, and technology, highlighting their interconnectedness and mutual influence; second, to develop new forms of sensory perception and artistic expression through collaborative creative practices and advanced technology; and third, to engage the public in an experiential narrative that invites deeper reflection on their own relationship with the environment.
BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE is more than an art project—it is an invitation to rethink how we interact with and perceive the living world. It invites audiences to join a journey where art, nature, and technology converge in a constantly evolving dance, blurring the boundaries between the organic and the digital, the seen and the unseen.
The vision of BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE is to create a profound, immersive experience that transcends conventional boundaries between the natural world and digital expression. Employing innovative tools such as SymBioWare technology, which translates real-time biological data from plants into MIDI formats, the project seeks to uncover the hidden rhythms of nature and reimagine how these can be interpreted through creative practice.
The objectives of the project are threefold: first, to foster a dialogue between nature, art, and technology, highlighting their interconnectedness and mutual influence; second, to develop new forms of sensory perception and artistic expression through collaborative creative practices and advanced technology; and third, to engage the public in an experiential narrative that invites deeper reflection on their own relationship with the environment.
BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE is more than an art project—it is an invitation to rethink how we interact with and perceive the living world. It invites audiences to join a journey where art, nature, and technology converge in a constantly evolving dance, blurring the boundaries between the organic and the digital, the seen and the unseen.
Multimedia art performance in Santa Spiritus on May 27th, 2024
The creative process behind BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE was a complex, multi-layered exploration of how technology, sensory perception, and artistic practice can converge to articulate the hidden dynamics of the natural world. Developed during a transformative residency at MOLINOLAB SANCTI SPIRITUS, SALAMANCA, SPAIN, in May 2024, this project involved nine interdisciplinary artists who collectively embarked on a journey to redefine the interplay between biological systems, digital technology, and creative expression.
Central to this artistic process was the use of SymBioWare technology, an innovative tool that allows the translation of real-time biological data from plants into MIDI formats, which can be further processed to create visual and auditory outputs. By capturing the electrical signals emitted by plants, the technology enabled artists to tap into the unseen rhythms of nature and translate them into immersive sensory experiences. The result was a profound dialogue between the organic and the digital, where plant life became both the medium and the message.
The project also incorporated data visualizations and interactive installations that transformed the collected bio-data into dynamic visual forms. These visualizations were created using advanced software tools, such as TouchDesigner, allowing for the real-time manipulation and mapping of data onto various digital canvases. The visual outputs ranged from intricate point clouds and generative landscapes to fluid forms that reacted to live soundscapes, thus creating a multi-sensory environment that blurred the line between natural and artificial realities.
A pivotal element of the creative process involved various sensory practices designed to enhance the artists' awareness of their surroundings and foster deeper connections with the natural environment. These practices were drawn from diverse contemporary approaches, methodologies, and systems, ranging from meditative and contemplative exercises to immersive field recordings and embodied performance techniques. Through these practices, artists honed their sensory perception and responsiveness, enabling them to attune themselves to the subtle energies and frequencies of the natural landscape.
Central to this artistic process was the use of SymBioWare technology, an innovative tool that allows the translation of real-time biological data from plants into MIDI formats, which can be further processed to create visual and auditory outputs. By capturing the electrical signals emitted by plants, the technology enabled artists to tap into the unseen rhythms of nature and translate them into immersive sensory experiences. The result was a profound dialogue between the organic and the digital, where plant life became both the medium and the message.
The project also incorporated data visualizations and interactive installations that transformed the collected bio-data into dynamic visual forms. These visualizations were created using advanced software tools, such as TouchDesigner, allowing for the real-time manipulation and mapping of data onto various digital canvases. The visual outputs ranged from intricate point clouds and generative landscapes to fluid forms that reacted to live soundscapes, thus creating a multi-sensory environment that blurred the line between natural and artificial realities.
A pivotal element of the creative process involved various sensory practices designed to enhance the artists' awareness of their surroundings and foster deeper connections with the natural environment. These practices were drawn from diverse contemporary approaches, methodologies, and systems, ranging from meditative and contemplative exercises to immersive field recordings and embodied performance techniques. Through these practices, artists honed their sensory perception and responsiveness, enabling them to attune themselves to the subtle energies and frequencies of the natural landscape.
The combination of these methodologies resulted in a unique artistic framework where nature, technology, and human creativity intersected seamlessly. Each artist developed an intimate relationship with their chosen plant, using it as both a collaborator and an inspiration for their work. The resulting performances, installations, and compositions were not merely representations of nature but rather co-creations that emerged from a deep, symbiotic engagement with the living environment.
The residency culminated in a public art performance in Santa Spiritus on May 27th, 2024, where the artists presented their works to the local community. This event showcased the culmination of the residency's creative process—a dynamic blend of live performance, bio-data-driven music composition, and immersive visual projections that invited the audience to experience the intricate dance between nature, art, and technology.
The creative process of BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE continues to evolve beyond the residency, as the artists carry forward their experiences and insights into new projects, pushing the boundaries of what is possible when art, nature, and technology are brought into dialogue.
The residency culminated in a public art performance in Santa Spiritus on May 27th, 2024, where the artists presented their works to the local community. This event showcased the culmination of the residency's creative process—a dynamic blend of live performance, bio-data-driven music composition, and immersive visual projections that invited the audience to experience the intricate dance between nature, art, and technology.
The creative process of BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE continues to evolve beyond the residency, as the artists carry forward their experiences and insights into new projects, pushing the boundaries of what is possible when art, nature, and technology are brought into dialogue.
The exhibition of BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE at the ARS ELECTRONICA FESTIVAL 2024 represented a pivotal moment for the project, bringing its interdisciplinary exploration of nature, technology, and art to an international audience. This presentation offered a dynamic convergence of digital innovation, sensory engagement, and artistic expression, pushing the boundaries of how we perceive the relationship between the natural and digital worlds.
By presenting BIOPHONY: DANCING NATURE at ARS ELECTRONICA FESTIVAL 2024, the project reached new heights, engaging the public in a compelling dialogue about our evolving relationship with the natural world through the lens of contemporary art and technology.