AROM PA BOT: THE THIRD VERSE

People of Ari presents the exciting return of Arom Pa Bot: Sonic Poetry from the Garden in 'The Third Verse' edition!

This interactive sound installation by Tommy Hanson  and CRSRCRSRRR (Thanapat Ogaslert), has become one of the most beloved projects featured at People of Ari venues. After delighting audiences at Bangkok Design Week over the past two years, Arom Pa Bot returns to the serene garden of Yellow Lane for just two weekends: 24-25 February and 2-3 March 2024, from 10:00 to 17:00.

The vision of Arom Pa Bot is a world where nature itself is a computer capable of all today’s modern technological feats, including creating electronic music. This interactive installation features a collection of instruments, all playable by anyone in the garden. Crafted from organic materials and residing within the garden, these instruments utilize software and sensors to respond to human and environmental interactions. Linked by a central program written in the open-source graphic language Pure Data, these instruments function harmoniously, akin to an orchestra, narrating the garden's tale and illuminating novel perspectives on coexisting and evolving with nature.

Graphic Design: Perry Spice Studios

Woodworking: Lud Absolud

*This installation is free entry*

INSTALLATION COMPONENTS:

• "เสาส่งสาส์น" LEAF READER ( TEMPO _  TONE _ MELODY _ ANIMAL ):

Leaf reader is the heart and conductor of Arompabot’s orchestration. There are three leaf readers for the performer to interact with: Melody, Tone, and Tempo. In the third chapter of Arompabot, a fourth leaf reader was invented that channels the calls of the wilderness.  Each reader’s interpretation sets the scene of the story. Like the magnetic tapes used in music studios, the reader scans a leaf's unique qualities and uses the data to adjust the parameters of the garden's poetic landscape.  Tempo sets the speed of the story, Tone sets the mood, and Melody adds suspense to the plot.

• "หินหั่นห้อง" STONE STEPS ( RHYTHM _ MOTION )

Arompabot’s Stone Steps are a primitive computer made of stone and wood. Much like an analog step sequencer used in modern music production, the Stone Step tables allow performers to shape the story's movement.  Place and remove stones into the different compartments to find balance with nature’s rhythm. Tip: Try turning the knobs and pushing the buttons!

• "ดินดินแดนมหัศจรรย์"  SANDS OF WONDERLAND( GRANULAR _ STOCHASTIC )

A zen garden and percussion instrument. Sands of Wonderland is a tool for dissecting primitive movements. In the third verse the Sands of Wonderland was updated to include a new gravel & hold circuit which gives it all new powers!  Simply lift the grains with your hand and release them back into the box!     Tip: Sands is stereo! Try dropping rocks in different areas to move the sound around the garden!

• "ใบเปลี่ยนแปลง"  LEAF PULSES ( TRIGGERS _ RESPONSES )

Leaf Pulses is the kinetic arm of the Arompabot quartet and provides performers with a hands-on method of interaction. This plant serves as a beacon in the garden and allows touch to communicate across the garden’s network of floral dialogue.  Touch the leaves which react to our energy and act as conductive sensors to reveal the sounds of the garden.

• "กระบองร้อง" SINGING CACTUS ( VOICE  _ SPACE )

The Singing Cactus is the expressive voice of the garden. It has an affinity for visitors and syncs to your distance. Using a tuned resonant circuit the cactus senses how close you are. In the third verse of Arompabot a second cactus appeared and harmony was born!  Place your hands near the cactus to sing along but remember… don’t touch it!

• "โอ่งโอบอุ้ม" EMBRACING BASIN ( DRONE )

The embracing basin is a token and the static element of the garden. In all artwork negative space plays an important role in composition. Much like the drone element of Indian music or the concept of noise and randomness, the waterfall provides a pool of ideas for the story to develop.  Place your hand into the water and invite the water to fall in new ways. Infinity emerges!

• "โต๊ะเรมี" TABLE SEQUENCER ( STEPPED VOLTAGE _ VISUAL COMPOSITION )

The newest instrument to join Arom Pa Bot is a unique way to create melodies. Using a visual analyzer we are able to create musical patterns from the falling leaves! Like the stone steps the speed of the table is controlled by the tempo leaf reader.  Place leaves on the top of the table. The instrument will begin to scan the table for leaves and convert it into a melody. Each leaf should create a new note. Tip: try moving the leaves around to change the pitch of the notes!

Arom Pa Bot transports participants into a futuristic music sanctuary, blending the natural beauty of a garden with innovative electronics. By intertwining sensors, algorithms, and organic musical instruments, this installation envisions a future where technology seamlessly integrates with nature.

Visitors are invited to co-create music using leaves, stones, and other natural elements, fostering an immersive and interactive experience. Additionally, special musical performances harmonise the garden's sounds with those of guest musicians.

Arom Pa Bot serves as a captivating exploration of the convergence of technology, art, and nature, providing a distinctive and immersive encounter with music. Its continued success underscores the importance of pushing the boundaries of interactive art installations, offering visitors a fresh perspective on the possibilities of creative expression!