The Musical
Plants
A new musical instrument
connecting people to the natural world
The Musical Plants transform living plants into instruments by sensing the natural electrical charge in our bodies. Simply touch a leaf to control complex sonic textures, creating an enchanting space where music, nature and people connect.
“‘There need to be more musical plants in this world’”
Presentation options
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Presented in almost any setting, The (Musical) Plants transform both indoor and outdoor spaces. Playable Streets Creative Facilitators engage and collaborate with the public, creating a wondrous environment.
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We can collaborate with local musicians to create a unique participatory music performance event.
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Get in touch to find out how we can install musical Plants in your garden, just like we did for CHANGI AIRPORT
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In this workshop, we introduce participants to Musical Plants and devise ways of playing them to create new musical compositions.
PARTICIPATORY INSTALLATION
Connect with nature! Reach out and touch real plants to play these unique organic instruments.
The Plants are new experimental musical instruments that combine organic matter and bespoke digital sensors developed by Playable Streets. For the first-time these plant-based instruments are available for the public to play and create new live compositions.
Swelling with textural waves and phasing rhythmic movement, The Plants will be unlike any musical instrument you have ever seen, heard or played. The Plants installation is open to everyone to interact with, explore, and make new collaborative compositions.
“Definitely the highlight of the festival!”
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Duration: The Participatory Installation can be presented at any time of the day usually in 4 - 6 hour sessions.
Participation numbers: Typically range from 500 - 2000 a day.
Location: The Musical Plants participatory installation can be presented in almost any location inside or out. Talk to us about your ideas!
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Touring team of 2, if extra creative facilitators are required we will train local artists to help present the work.
First bump In time approx 6 hours - daily bump in 1 hour. Bump Out time 2 hours.
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.:. Seoul Street Arts Festival
.:. Silk Road Festival South Korea
.:. CHANGI Airport Singapore
.:. The Esplanade, Singapore
.:. Arts Centre, Melbourne
Plant Sonata at Changi Airport
Located in Terminal 2, Plant Sonata is an interactive sound installation that invites travellers to create music by moving their hands near living plants. Using custom-built touchless sensors and a synthesiser system, each gesture triggers melodies, transforming the plants into playful musical instruments. Blending nature, technology, and creativity, this installation brings moments of wonder and shared discovery to one of the world’s greenest airports.
LONG-TERM INSTALLATIONS
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We work with you to develop a musical plant display that invites people to engage with your gardens and green spaces
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We create a unique installation designed specifically for your space
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We install and maintain your musical garden for 6 months to 10 years!
“Can you actually play music by touching a plant?”
MUSICAL PLANTS WORKSHOP
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Age range is usually 5 - 12 but we can tailor workshops for any age range. Approx. 30 participants per workshop.
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We can present these workshops wither indoor or outdoor ~ minimal setup and no power required.
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Up to 3 x 45 ~ 50 mins workshops a day or rolling sessions. Workshops can also be presented as casual rolling workshops during a participatory installation of The Musical Plants.
Musical Plants Workshops
In this hands-on workshop, participants are introduced to The Plants — a high-tech installation that transforms ordinary houseplants into musical instruments by sensing the natural electrical charge in our bodies. Through playful exercises in music-making, drawing, design and sound exploration, participants experiment with different ways of “playing” the plants and work together to create original sonic compositions.
No musical experience is needed — The Plants is an instrument no one has mastered yet! These workshops can be tailored for different age groups and invite curiosity, creativity and collaboration in a fun, welcoming environment.
CREATIVE TEAM
Developed by Playable Streets - Design by Glen Walton and Tony Lin - Fabrication by Glen Walton, Tony Lin, Chloe Smith, Jean Baulch - Tech by Bob Jarvis - Sound Design by Cayn Borthwick - Performance Direction by Miles O’Neil - Production by Chloe Smith - Facilitator Alumni: Chloe Smith, Jean Baulch, Bron Batten, Charlotte Minuzzo, Glen Walton, Laura Aldous, Rachel Robertson, Bobbie-Jean Henning, Bridget Milesi, Clare Walton - Collaborating Musicians: Genevieve Fry, Zela Papageorgiou, Hamish Upton, Reuben Lewis, Aliraza Mirajkar, Vick Low, Fontane Liang, Natalie Alexandra Tse - Big thanks to Kate Perman, Jamie Houge.