Earthbits

Work

Flora in Frequency

Client
Personal
Category
3D, Animation, Music
Tools
C4D, After Effects, Ableton

About

Inspired by a desire to both connect more deeply with nature and explore new mediums, this project uses photogrammetry to breathe new life into local flora creating 3D models that move and animate to the sound of music.

By turning the frequencies of plants into music and blending it with nature sounds and original vocals, a unique co-creation between plant and human emerges showing us that technology can enable us to commune with the natural world in novel and intimate ways.

Process

Through a multi-step process that started out by seeking and selecting the most striking local flora, the flora was then scanned in 3D to capture its intricate form. Finally, the model was refined to bring out unique qualities of the flower to appear both realistic and otherworldly.

Identifying in-season and local flora

Finding local and scannable local flora

Local flora study — mixed bouquet
Local flora study — white poppy in a glass vase
Local flora study — sweet pea

Creating 3D scans using photogrammetry

Using the power of photogrammetry to create 3D models

Photogrammetry camera alignment around a scanned structure
ZBrush sculpt of a flower head
Rendered 3D flower model

Adding effects and animation in 3D

Animated the flower to dissolve and appear in time to the music created by the flower itself

3D workspace with digitized flower and bounding boxes

Exploring materials and lighting in 3D

Capturing the realism of the organic flower structure directly from the physical world and blending with otherworldly materials and colors

Material study — naturalistic lighting
Material study — iridescent digital bloom
Material study — monochrome wireframe

Turning plant frequencies into music using a PlantWave device

The music was crafted first by generating a bass line directly from the flora using a device called PlantWave which turns plant frequencies into music. With the bass line as inspiration, additional texture was layered on such as local nature sounds and original vocals inspired by the energy of the plants themselves.

PlantWave session with Ableton Live
Studio desk with flora and music software

Final Piece

The project culminates in a concept combining tech and nature to co-create in deep connection. With inspiration drawn from local flora, music generated by the plants themselves, 3D modeling, and surrealism, the possibility emerges to commune deeply with and embrace the creative potential of our natural surroundings.

Final artwork — iridescent particle bloom
Final artwork — glass flower in a vase
Final artwork — refractive glass flora

Work