Botanical Universe is a new media art exhibition in Space 5, Culture Lab, Newcastle University on 25th Nov 2014.
Materials
Plant, laser-cut MDF, contact microphones, amplifier, speaker, Arduino UNO R3, Adafruit Servo Driver, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, soil humidity sensor, light sensor and wires.
Concept“Botanical Universe” explores how historically oriented studies of “astronomical clock” can be applied in the design, conceptual formation and expression of an imaginary machine: a “bio-timekeeper“. It investigates how machine prototyping can unfold, transcend the realities beyond, and stand as an entity between the metaphysical and physical world. The title of the work intimates “Mechanical Universe”, an idea originated in 13th century that compares the universe to a mechanical clock. By paralleling the function, expression and belief system of pre-modern automata with a reflection of contemporary bio-tech oriented utopia in pop culture, this practice questions how alternative qualities of machine, such as wonder, poetic, imagination and superstition can be embodied in the practice of digital media.
Cultural historical studies of mechanical clock reveals its various metaphorical, social, political and religious connections. In media archaeological terms, these excavations of historical resources of object is considered as a “dig of condition of knowledge”. That is, usually investigations of alternate histories of neglected and forgotten media that do not point teleologically to the present media-cultural condition. For example, the astronomical clock, apart from its practical utility that has been the primary focus in historical writings, has also role as a symbol and the expression of thought and values in Middle Ages. According to Otto Mayr, the astronomical clock is a “mechanical symbol for an authoritarian world” (Mayr, 1980). As an “intellectual automaton” as seen by Francis C. Haber (1980), it shows the sacred scene of eternity by “enfolding temporality in the eternal plan of salvation” (Haber, 1980). Kluitenberg (2011. p.49) further claims that the mechanisms of clock has heterogeneous or even contradictory technological imaginaries in different historical settings. It was seen as a symbol of power of human mind’s control over nature in Cartesian terms, however contradictory, a symbol of “inhuman oppression ” in condition of large scale industrialization in 18th century Europe.
By integrating cultural and historical analysis of the world-clock metaphors into the conceptual model, expression and hands-on design, Botanical Universe is an embodiment of a “possible world view” and its making parallels the method of Design Fiction in design academia (Grand & Wiedmer, 2010; Markussen & Knutz, 2013). It embraces a fictional world as a whole where imagination, myth and science are correlated. By ticking in responsive to the plant’s living condition, Botanical Universe shows a preferable future plant-machine relationship.
Technical Description
Botanical Universe is an assemblage of three machines: the Botanical Clock in the centre, and the other two operating circular mechanisms on the sides. There is also a video documentation showing Botanical Clock operating in different environments including indoor and outdoor, day and night. An ivy is installed in the center of the Botanical Clock with four environmental sensors which monitor temperature, light, air humidity and soil humidity in the space. The environmental condition is compared to an ivy’s best growing condition to detect how well the ivy is in this space. A mechanism is designed to display how well the ivy’s is by ticking different pattern and speed of hands. Generally, the better the plant is living, the faster and more rhythmic the hands is ticking.
More information and documentation about Botanical Clock can be viewed here.