Welcome to the Process diary for the Soul of Plants.

This is the interim working title for a project which aims to delve into the secrets of the universal spirit through the organic world of plants. The project is as much an exploration and an experiment as an artistic endeavour. 

My intention is to make music with plants, not just by any means, but by means determined by the plants and by their consent to make music with me. In doing this I hope to gain insight into the sensitivity of plants and create a dialogue between the human spirit and the soul of plants. I also hope to be able to ask more questions, inspire further research into the are of plant response to human behaviour and endeavour. 

The project was inspired by an article i read in 2004 online by Charles Allon. An abbridged version of this can be found here. In his essay he state that plants are sensitive to their surroundings, to human interference and react in measurable ways. He described his methods and the results. I found this information astonishing. It made me look at my world in a completely different way. Since this time I have created a deeper respect for nature than ever before. In saying this, I feel it is worth mentioning that my mother instilled a deep respect for nature, always stating that her "God" was not religious, but the spiritual embodiment of Mother Nature. So I feel I am carrying these values over to a new level of understanding.

So far my research has uncovered 40 years of experiments in the field of plant responses and sensitivity. It is possible for researchers to make the plant responses generate a tone assigned to the intensity of its reaction. I hope to take this a step further and create a dialogue with plants, that by its nature and intention, is one of an artistic and musical connection. 

 At the moment I am reading a book called "the secret life of plants" which covers a lot of the technical aspects I was concerned about when considering this project. The first couple of chapters put me at ease, when i realised that I was able to begin experimenting immediately by making a simple lie detector as did Cleve Backster back in the late 60's. 

It has also lead me to research further some of the study done that focuses on implications of sentience, and telekinesis abilities in plants.

Other research includes re-reading Jeff Noon's Pollen, and listening to Stevie Wonder's - Journey into the secret life of plants. The Borderlands website - the latest research into Plant responses and sensitivity.

I imagine ideally I would like to work with a scientist/technologist on this project rather than having to make this project about me becoming an electronics wizard. Also I believe the right insight will be invaluable to the creative process when the time comes.

At the moment this project is self funded, but I am looking into funding opportunities