Botanica Soundscapes
The Botanica Soundscapes is self-guided mobile phone audio-enhanced experience of the Brisbane Botanical gardens using geo-tagged content triggered by location. The sound walk plays atmospheric audio, combining musical and found sounds, that complements the space and presents a unique perspective on being in the gardens.
History
ERA Category
- Original Creative Work - Musical Composition
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
Research Statement
Research Background Botanica Soundscapes is a series of ten algorithmically assisted compositions delivered through an augmented reality (AR) experience via a geolocated mobile app. While outdoor AR audio composition has been technically possible for some time, as demonstrated by Goudeseune and Kaczmarski, widespread accessibility to locative media via mobile devices is a recent development, as noted by Barclay. This project examines how AR soundscapes can enhance the sensory experience of public outdoor spaces, fostering aesthetic enrichment and increasing their appeal as cultural sites. Research Contribution The project combines locative media, augmented reality, algorithmic composition, and mobile media streaming to create a novel series of compositions that explore the collaborative potential of these fields. It builds upon my ongoing practice in interactive and generative art, expanding locative soundscapes to include augmented and generative elements. By integrating algorithmic processes into AR, the work demonstrates innovative approaches to enhancing outdoor, site-specific experiences. Research Significance As composer and developer, I designed the algorithm that supported the compositional process, extending its previous application in interactive live performance to this new context. The algorithm's details were published in 2016. Botanica Soundscapes was commissioned for the Botanica: Contemporary Outside Art festival, held at Brisbane Botanical Gardens from May 20–29, 2021. Although the festival has ended, the work remains accessible to the public online via the echoes.xyz app. Its cultural impact was highlighted during an interview about the work on ABC Radio on May 13, 2021, underscoring its contributions to locative and generative artistic practices.Publisher
Brisbane City CouncilPlace of publication
Botanica: Contemporary Outside Art festivalConfidential / Culturally sensitive
- No
Copyright notes
© 2021 Andrew Brown Thumbnail image courtesy Brisbane City Council. Shared under a CC BY 2.0 license on Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brisbanecitycouncil/51162129952/in/album-72157719124784852/References
Barclay, Leah. 2017. “Augmenting Urban Space with Environmental Soundscapes and Mobile Technologies.” Soundscape. Sounds Emergent: Diverse Ecologies Part II 16:20–34. Brown, Andrew R. 2016. “Ripples: A Human-Machine Musical Duet.” In Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Musical Metacreation. Paris: Musical Metacreation. http://musicalmetacreation.org/proceedings/mume-2016/. Goudeseune, Camille, and Hank Kaczmarski. 2001. “Composing Outdoor Augmented-Reality Sound Environments.” In ICMC. Citeseer.Medium
Audio streaming via mobile appSize of work
A series of 10 compositions accumulating to around 40 mins of musicNumber of discrete components
10Estimated size of audience
1000Exhibition date from
2021-05-20Exhibition date to
2021-05-29Was the work disseminated?
- Yes
Form of dissemination
- Exhibition
Scope of dissemination
- Local
Did the work go on tour?
- No