This past summer, we had the opportunity to bring Biotic Symphony to PIFcamp, an international art and technology camp held in the stunning natural surroundings of the Soča Valley in Slovenia. The experience was a unique opportunity not only to showcase our work but also to build community, share knowledge, and immerse ourselves in the collaborative energy that defines this gathering.
Workshop: technology and interspecies awareness
During the week, we led a workshop explaining the technological foundations of Biotic Symphony: how to digitize spaces using drones and techniques like gaussian splatting, how to capture the electrical impulses of plants and turn them into artistic data, and how we employ virtual reality as a tool to raise awareness about other organisms. The workshop became a space for exchange, inspiring new ideas and potential collaborations among artists and makers from diverse backgrounds.
Open Saturday: plants taking control
For the Open Saturday, when the camp opens its doors to the public, we prepared an interactive installation. We digitized the PIFcamp courtyard with a drone and turned that point cloud into a living, responsive environment: the plants’ electrical impulses generated sounds and dynamically altered the digital particles, as if the plants themselves were taking control of the space.
The installation was complemented with immersive projections and several devices built during the week, including a piezoelectric sensor and an amplifier repurposed as a tactile button, allowing the audience to interact directly and leave their mark on the piece.
Collaborative audiovisual performance
We also presented an audiovisual performance alongside live coding artist Simon Goricar. In this collaboration, the point clouds from Biotic Symphony merged with live-coded visuals and generative music, creating a unique sensory experience where humans, plants, and digital systems interacted in real time.
Collective learning
Beyond our own activities, we participated in as many workshops as possible: from electronics with biomaterials to creating bird calls with motors, exploring ultrasound listening and manipulation, experimenting with homemade fermentations, and crafting artisanal drinks. It was an intense and enriching week, full of opportunities to learn, share, and connect with an international community of artists, creators, and passionate makers.
