Natural and digital realms mix

A LIVING installation is now on display in the atrium windows at the visitor centre on Pall Mall.

The artwork, Symbiotic Pulse, is part of the City’s Bloom spring campaign and was designed by local artist Paul Fletcher.

The piece comprises a mobile made from seed pods and pieces of found metal, lighting effects and a soundscape of frogs and forest sounds, and accompanying augmented reality experience accessible by a QR code.

“The idea is that it acts like a living system and looks totally different at certain times of the day and night,” said Fletcher.

“During the day the sun moves around and that creates different shadows and silhouettes, and the winds breeze moves the mobile around.

“At nighttime the frogs wake up in the soundscape and the animation is related to what we can’t see, the flows of energy within ourselves and the plants.”

Symbiotic Pulse was created from items that Fletcher found or grew in his garden, with the manmade and natural layered together to demonstrate connection.

“I want to get away from separating ourselves as if we’re above or beyond or separate from nature,” he said.

“Technology, whether it’s high or low, has all got its basis in minerals from the ground as well.”

The multi-disciplinary artist was commissioned by the City to create the installation for Bloom After Dark.

Municipal visitor services manager Felicity Martin said the piece connected with ideas of spring, renewal, and blooming that are all part of Bloom.

“I really like that interaction between the physical and the digital, I think that’s really interesting,” she said.

Ms Martin said the City has been working on a number of night time activations to encourage people to spend more time in the CBD at night.

“Because we’re so prominent and because we do have those big atrium windows, we want to try to create different experiences to attract people and create a bit of interest,” she said.

Symbiotic Pulse will be on display until 12 November and will be listed on the Bloom map and attractions guide available from the visitor centre and the Bendigo Venues and Events website.