HAKOTO | Speaking Leaf is an ambitious, interdisciplinary project that combines art, technology, and environmental awareness to shed light on the intricate relationship between nature and climate change. This initiative is designed to create an immersive aesthetic experience and inspire dialogue about environmental responsibility.
At the heart of this project are unique wireless body-pack sculptures and sound instruments, each meticulously crafted to interact with trees in an innovative way. These instruments are equipped with advanced sensors that measure the responses of tree leaves to atmospheric changes, transforming this data into a unique acoustic output. The generated sounds then form the basis for international exhibitions and a series of ongoing performances, intended to captivate audiences across diverse ages and cultural backgrounds.
Under the leadership of Reiko and Tim, the project boasts a multi-talented team of artists, musicians, hardware and software designers, and an electrical engineer. As the project progresses, we aim to collaborate with a musician/composer, a theater director, and a new music curator to enhance the performative aspects of the instruments.
Initially, HAKOTO | Speaking Leaf will be introduced to urban and rural community groups and venues in Scotland and England for testing and feedback. Following this, it’s set to premiere at an international festival in Germany in summer. The project will also work towards producing a unique LP from initial sound recordings.
C + G Studio brings a wealth of experience to this initiative, having successfully delivered numerous interdisciplinary arts-led research projects. We hold a steadfast commitment to public engagement, diversity, inclusion, sustainable development, and fair work practices. To this end, we adhere to Scottish Artist Union and Musician Union pay rates for all team members.
As we embark on this exciting project, we are thrilled with its promising momentum and eager to share more updates soon.
Ongoing updates below:
HAKOTO – Collaborations
2023 June and July: This post includes some terrific video and audio from work with colleagues who are members of the ECOTONES research network, Directed by Prof Amanda Bayley at Bath Spa University. Here we provide two short but incredibly interesting audio-video documents followed by a sound recording. All work begins with a tree and…
HAKOTO LIVE at TIMBER FESTIVAL July 7-9, 2023
The Ecotone Research Network out of Bath Spa University traveled to Timber Festival in Leicester for a series of performance and workshops over the three days of the festival. Here are some highlights form the work with HAKOTO. A very brief introduction to HAKOTO. This edit integrates some images and a few brief video’s shot by…
HAKOTO – GLASGOW
On June 22nd and 23rd Reiko, myself and Chris Malcolm met with the musician and ethnomusicologist Prof Amanda Bayley from Bath Spa University, Artist and curator, music producer Georg Dietzler from Cologne, and Stevie Wishart a musician and composer from from Belgium; they spent a few days with us offering critical input on the form,…