Scott Kildall, an artist with a penchant for blending technology and nature, has crafted a unique sound installation titled “Infrared Reflections,” which he developed during his residency at Joshua Tree National Park. This innovative project transforms near-infrared light reflected from the iconic Joshua trees into a captivating auditory experience, effectively turning these distinctive plants into musical instruments. Kildall’s work is not just a melding of art and science, but a profound exploration of the unseen and unheard elements of nature.
Kildall’s background is eclectic, involving neither a formal education in computer science nor music, though he does enjoy playing the ukulele. His installation, however, demands a deep dive into both fields, as it involves creating sensors, processing data, and ultimately translating environmental phenomena into sound. The project showcases Kildall’s adeptness in navigating multiple disciplines—art, technology, and environmental science—simultaneously.
The physical setup of “Infrared Reflections” is relatively straightforward yet technologically sophisticated. Kildall uses a microcontroller equipped with an infrared sensor to detect light wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye. This light, primarily reflected by the healthy, water-rich leaves of the Joshua tree, is converted into data. Kildall then processes this data to produce sounds, each varying in pitch and tone depending on the intensity of the reflected infrared light.
Writeup that I did on Infrared Reflections: my near-infrared sensor + Joshua Tree sonification @JoshuaTreeNPS
I started with science articles to come up with this project, followed by data-logging a graphing results. https://t.co/4JAYqi32iQ#data #electronics pic.twitter.com/19Sw5KCMsL
— Scott Kildall 🚀🚀🚀 (@kildall) May 16, 2024
This concept of sonification is not new to Kildall; he has previously applied it to various natural elements, such as the water flow in trees and the electrical signals of mushrooms. However, “Infrared Reflections” is specifically designed for the Joshua tree, a species native to the Mojave Desert, thereby imbuing the project with a site-specific significance.
Kildall’s installation was recently showcased at the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, just north of Los Angeles. He transported a suite of electronic equipment, including a laptop, a large speaker, and his sensor setup, into the desert. Despite initial technical challenges, such as his laptop overheating, Kildall successfully activated the installation, transforming the natural movements and characteristics of the Joshua tree into an eerie, theremin-like soundscape.
The sounds produced by the installation vary: some mimic the haunting resonance of electric guitars, others the simplistic tones of a piano. This variety not only demonstrates the diverse capabilities of Kildall’s installation but also highlights the complex nature of the Joshua tree itself, whose different parts offer varying sonic potentials.
Kildall’s work is supported by the scientific community, with experts like Greg Asner of Arizona State University acknowledging the value of infrared technology in ecological studies. Asner himself has used similar technology to distinguish living from non-living vegetation from the air, which aids in managing fire risks and understanding biodiversity in places like the Amazon rainforest.
Scott Kildall, "Cut-Up Poet Trees" (2023).
This sound installation recites generative poetry using live data as electronic sensors detect water flow in four different species of trees. Each tree “speaks” a single sentence, and together they form a poem. https://t.co/owq2MZ2eN1 pic.twitter.com/jzw8VuhWkf— Gregory Betts (@funnomad) March 4, 2024
Beyond the scientific implications, Kildall aims to engage the public with environmental issues through art rather than traditional scientific communication. He believes that art has a unique power to connect people to nature and important ecological concerns on an emotional and sensory level.
While “Infrared Reflections” was initially tailored for the Joshua tree, Kildall anticipates adapting the technology for other flora, potentially exploring areas like San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to expand his auditory exploration of nature. This flexibility suggests the broader applicative potential of his work, promising new creative and educational avenues for engaging with the natural world.
Major Points
- Scott Kildall created “Infrared Reflections,” a sound installation that converts infrared light from Joshua trees into music, developed during his artist residency at Joshua Tree National Park.
- The project involves using a microcontroller with an infrared sensor to detect light wavelengths invisible to the naked eye, with the data then sonified into various sounds.
- Kildall’s work integrates art, technology, and environmental science, requiring him to build sensors, process data, and create auditory outputs from natural phenomena.
- The installation was demonstrated at Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, where Kildall equipped with electronics and a speaker, translated the Joshua tree’s features into eerie, theremin-like sounds.
- The technology used in the installation is also employed in scientific studies to analyze vegetation, and Kildall aims to use his installations to engage the public with environmental issues through art.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
