microphones, software, LED lighting
Ultra Low Res was commissioned by Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to augment an existing light installation as part of their annual Winter Flower Show and Light Garden program.
The Phipps design team, led by Jordyn Melino, was looking for a design that would integrate with their existing "light cluster" sculptures and highlight a unique aspect of their luscious Fern Room.
Phipps' light clusters are embedded throughout the dense Fern Room.
ULR decided to focus on the tiny Coqui frogs who's distinct chirps can be heard throughout the conservatory. A small population of Coquis were brought to Phipps by a researcher in the 90s and have since migrated to all of the tropical rooms in the building.
Each of the seven light clusters is accompanied by a weatherproof microphone. All of the audio is routed through custom software that listens for and identifies the distinct double-chirp of the frog. When a chirp is identified nearby a light cluster, the lights respond in realtime.