Resonate by mhettler

Completed / Public / University of Michigan / Architecture, Graphic Design, Other

You happen upon a field of wildflowers and tall grass encompassing a small clearing, in which sit three glowing cubes partially sunk into the soil. Upon inspection of the objects, you find you can sit on each, a bench upon which your surroundings might be taken in more readily. The gentle sound of wind blows through the tall grass – or does it? There is no wind today. The sound of children playing and people laughing echoes through the air. An invisible voice shouts “Hello!” You look around for the voice, but you are the only one in the clearing. As the seconds pass, more voices layer over one another as you realize the cubes are projecting sounds, apparently from moments, days, or even months previous to this one. The cubes begin blinking red, and the symphony of sound halts. In the momentary silence, you realize the cubes are recording their surroundings. You say your name out loud, only to have it played back to you moments later, amalgamated into the festival of voices you heard previous. A bustling hub of multiple life-forms, the garden is never the same place twice, the experience different for every user. An auditory palimpsest of visitors and events on site enhances the notion that this current moment in the garden is unique. The recording function also gives each user a chance at leaving a lasting mark upon the place while heightening the sensory and reflective experience of the garden for future users.

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