The Plants Installation & Performance
OVERVIEW
THE PLANTS:
The Plants is a wonderous musical installation that invites participants to create their own musical compositions using unique digital instruments…. Plants! As you explore The Plants you create the musical experience for yourself as well as those around you. Make music with the marigold and compose with the chrysanthemum!
THE INSTALLATION:
The Plants installation consists of 10 Plant 'Pods', The plants are connected to microcomputers that allow participants to control a variety of musical parameters. This is a facilitated installation ie. 2 Playable Streets facilitators engage with the public, collaborate and encourage interaction.
THE PERFORMANCE:
We work with local musicians to develop a 20 minute musical piece that weaves traditional musical instruments with these new organic/ electronic instruments. Performances end with an invitation to the audience and people passing by to join the Plant Players for the finale (and to keep playing and exploring after the piece)
THE MUSICIANS:
We can work with local instrumentalists to create a unique interactive performance event suited to your venue or festival audience. This would involve an initial consultation with Playable Streets composer and at least one rehearsal before the performance date.
In Melbourne we work with percussionists Zela Papageorgiou & Hamish Upton, Harpist Genevieve Fry and Trumpet player/ electronic music artist Reuben Lewis.
THE TEAM:
Two performer/ producers travel with the work. We facilitate interaction, install/ deinstall, technical support and can run workshops (these are optional see separate workshop page). 2 additional team members will join as part of the musical performances.
THE PLANT 'PODS':
The installation consists of 10 Plant Pods (7 Pods with 2 Plants, 3 with one large plant each). They run on battery power and last up to 4 days without recharge (batteries can be recharged over-night). The base of these pods are 800 x 400 mm and they weigh approx 15kg (plus 5 or 10kg sandbag to be provided by the venue).
THE SETUP:
The plants can be set up in a variety of configurations and spaces indoor and outdoor. The minimum space requirement is approx 10 x 10 Metres. Each Pod requires approx 2Metres space around it. A day of pre production off site is required. It takes approx 2.5 hours to install the work after arriving on site. It takes approx 2 hours to deinstall the work (not including live musician equipment, PA etc).
THE (ACTUAL) PLANTS:
We usually purchase the plants we use for the installation at a local garden centre, if you would like to partner with a local nursery that would be great!
WORKSHOPS (Optional):
The Plants workshops can be delivered in addition to The Plants installation and performance. For more information on workshops go to The Plants Pop-Up Workshops page
Maximum 4 workshops per day
Workshops run approx 50 mins
Maximum 20 participants per workshop
WHAT WE BRING
The Plants Pods X 10 (These are approx 15kg each) - portable, self contained units with battery power, speakers and tech enclosed within.
The (actual) Plants - we purchase these locally if interstate/ international
Signage
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
10 x 5 or 10kg sandbags (not solid metal bars)
A flat surface for installation
Secure area to store The Plant Pods overnight
Green room on performance dates
Secure space for facilitators and performers to leave their belongings/ instruments.
Access to power for battery recharge overnight.
PA system for musicians during performance times
Flat bed moving trolley
Access to loading dock/ parking during install / deinstall
INTER-STATE (OUTSIDE OF VICTORIA) & INTERNATIONAL TOURING
Touring Party of 2 for installation dates and 2 more for performance dates.
Individual rooms required for touring party.
Touring party can also attend media calls and interviews on request.
FREIGHT OF INSTALLATION
The 12 Plants Pods come in 3 boxes 90cm x 90cm x 130cm (140 with casters)
THIS IS ONE OF 3 FREIGHT BOXES
LOCAL TOURING (VICTORIA & INTERSTATE BY ROAD)
Touring Party of 2 for installation dates and 2 more for performance dates
The installation travels in a van
Accomodation required if more than 2 hours from Melbourne CBD by road
EXAMPLE OF AN ENGAGEMENT - Melbourne Recital Centre
Case Study from the Melbourne Recital Centre
We worked with three local Melbourne instrumentalists to develop an interactive composition for their chosen instrument and The Plants.
We tailored the sounds that The Plants would make around these musicians.
Sunday we prepared the installation for travel.
Monday morning at 6.30am we bumped in The Plants.
Monday & Tuesday 9am - 2pm we presented The Plants interactive installation with 2 facilitators as part of their Music Play Festival.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 3pm - 8pm The Plants installation was live with 2 facilitators from 3 - 5pm.
Live performances with musicians and 4 'Plant Players' were presented at 5.30 and 6.30pm as part of their New Music Days program.
The audience was invited to be part of the performance at the end of each 20 minute set.
We bumped out after the final performance, Friday at 8pm and were finished bump out by 10pm.
A performance with The Plants and percussionists (Zela Papageorgiou, Hamish Upton)
Example of setup at the Melbourne Recital Centre X = AUDIENCE X = Musician(s) X = Plants Pods
Individual box dimensions