DIÁLOGOS is an acoustic dialogue with a Eucalyptus tree created for the international symposium DIÁLOGOS ~ MENTE DE LAS :|: DAS PLANTAS. The work is based on a recording from the perspective of a Eucalyptus tree on Kabi Kabi Country on the Sunshine Coast. Hydrophones were planted at the roots of the tree recording the sonic environment and Monica Gagliano's voice while she read excerpts from her book 'Thus Spoke the Plant' through the tree. Cellist Briony Luttrell improvised live responses to the sonic environment and added further dialogue with the processed Eucalyptus recordings. 

DIÁLOGOS is inspired by Thus Spoke the Plant in transcending the view of plants as the objects of scientific materialism, and encouraging us to rethink plants as beings with subjectivity, consciousness, and volition, and hence having the capacity for their own perspectives, voices and dialogues. This project is part of an emerging portfolio of interdisciplinary research at USC Sunshine Coast exploring the role of sound in regeneration and ecological interconnection. 

This soundscape is created as a prelude to the participatory photography session where delegates are encouraged to go outside and take photos of plants to contribute towards a global photography map that extends on the participatory photography research led by Tricia King.

DIÁLOGOS ~ MENTE DE LAS :|: DAS PLANTAS is an international symposium hosted on July 8th 2021 on the Arts Front platform that focuses on Latin American contributions from the forthcoming book The Mind of Plants https://www.themindofplants.com/ The symposium features stories, reflections, images and sounds about our relationship with plants. The event is generously supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), and Centro de Estudos Sociais, Universidade de Coimbra.

Monica Gagliano - https://www.monicagagliano.com/ 
Briony Luttrell - https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/dr-briony-luttrell 
Leah Barclay - https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/dr-leah-barclay

DIÁLOGOS ~ MENTE DE LAS :|: DAS PLANTAS - https://artsfront.com/event/133485-dialogos-mente-de-las-das-plantas

The Mind of Plants - https://www.themindofplants.com/

DIÁLOGOS (2021) Eucalyptus, Monica Gagliano, Briony Luttrell and Leah Barclay

Leah Barclay is a sound artist, designer and researcher who works at the intersection of art, science and technology. Leah's research and creative work over the last decade has investigated innovative approaches to recording and disseminating the soundscapes of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to inform conservation, scientific research and public engagement. Her work explores ways we can use creativity, new technologies and emerging science to reconnect communities to the environment and inspire climate action.

Leah has been the recipient of numerous awards and her work has been commissioned, performed and exhibited to wide acclaim internationally by organisations including the Smithsonian Museum, UNESCO, Ear to the Earth, Streaming Museum, Al Gore’s Climate Reality and the IUCN. Leah’s augmented reality sound installations have been presented across the world from Times Square in New York City to the Eiffel Tower in Paris for COP21.

Leah leads several research projects including Biosphere Soundscapes and River Listening that focus on advancing the field of ecoacoustics. The design of these interdisciplinary projects are responsive to the needs of collaborating communities and involve the development of new technologies including remote sensing devices for the rainforest canopy and hydrophone recording arrays in aquatic ecosystems.

Leah is a lecturer and researcher at USC Sunshine Coast, Australia.