Biophony is the final project of an artistic residency in which 9 artists from countries such as Romania, Ukraine, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Colombia and Spain participated.
We work using senses and technology to obtain biometric data from plants and turn them into music and visuals that accompany the performers on stage.
On May 26th, 2024, we host a unique event at our rural experimentation lab, at Sancti-Spíritus, Salamanca, as a sample of the research process of our artistic residency «Biophony: Dancing Nature» exploring interspecies communication.
This initiative has been realized through the joint efforts of nine multidisciplinary artists hailing from Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Colombia, and Spain. These artists have investigated the blend of Art, Nature, and Technology, with backing from the Goethe Institute and Culture Moves Europe.
In this interactive performance, we embody plant spirits to express the voice of the natural world and revive our ancient, forgotten memories. Utilizing advanced sensory technology and the open-source device Symbioware, in combination with the psychosomatic exploration method Synaptic Butoh, we convert the electrical signals from nearby flowers into movement, visuals, light, and sound.
This sensory experience, which integrates dance, video projections, digital and interactive art, and musical compositions, encourages the audience to reflect on the harmony between technological innovation and ecological connection. Through art, as a transformative medium, we strive to reshape our perception of the world, harmonizing our natural being with the forefront of technological progress.
Direction: Lucía Callén (synapticbutoh.com)
Performers and Dancers: Alina Tofan, Miriam Strasser, Alberto Monreal (representing the Space for Nature platform), Lucía Callén (representing the Synaptic Butoh project), Salomé Méndez
Audiovisual Team, Digital Composition, and Sound Design: Fernando Fernández aka b1tdreamer (Symbioware, visuals, live projections), Lesia Kvitka (visuals, filmmaking, web development), Alec Ilyine (Symbioware, sound design, live music production), Cameron J Laing (Symbioware, sound design, live music production)
Lighting Technician: Sie Castro Méndez
Scenography and Installation: Alberto Monreal
Venue and Materials: MolinoLab
This project was produced with support from the European Union (Goethe Institute – Culture Moves Europe).
Acknowledgments: The Municipality of Sancti Spíritus, Space For Nature, Joaku de Sotavento for mentoring on the use of the interactive device Joakinator
