If plants could talk, what would they say? Meet Nico Georis, a Californian musician who has spent two years deciphering the language of flora with technology that turns a plant’s biodata into music. LA-based director Maximilla Lukacs traveled to Georis’s studio cum greenhouse in Big Sur to document the making of his latest album, which features a tropical Monstera plant that he lovingly christened Shirley.
“Plants have something to tell us—especially at this moment in time when human beings are showing little respect for the natural world,” says Lukacs. “I hope that after seeing this film you will never look at plants in the same way.”
Listen to Georis' Plant-tastic playlist specially curated for you
NOWNESS also got in touch with Georis to learn more about the philosophy and science behind the extraordinary world of plant-generated music:
How were you first introduced to plant-generated music?
Georis: I saw a YouTube video of some kooky lady claiming to harness the music of plants. There was no explanation of what was happening so I figured it was a hoax. Looking back now I realize she was actually doing it, and I know this because she was using a device called Music of the Plants, which was invented at the eccentric Italian community of Damanhur during the 1970s. A couple of years later I became so intrigued by this possibility that I bought a biodata sonification device called MIDI Sprout and went down the rabbit hole from there. Now I guess I'm the kooky person in a video and maybe some viewers out there are claiming this is a hoax!
Do you find that different species have different sonic rhythms?
Georis: Yes. I've observed that trees produce music that is slower than smaller plants. Some plants react to touch in the morning but not at night. When I've toured with plants (interesting bandmates), they produce different songs depending on where they are. Sometimes plants go totally silent for long periods of time but when you walk towards them from across a room they burst into a flurry of notes.
Do you have any theories on what we are hearing?
Georis: It's good to first understand the technology. Music is being extrapolated from data collected by a device similar to a lie detector test. It is measuring fluctuations in electrical conductivity across the surface of the plant and translating this data into music. It's easy for people to fantasize that plants are suddenly singing and talking to us. All I know is that when you start living with plants generating sound you can't help but notice that they are highly complex. My hope is that science will continue to delve into the realm of plant awareness, communication, and intelligence.
How has plant generated music transformed your outlook on the world?
Georis: Through this exploration I have become convinced that plants are potentially much more alive and sentient than we have ever considered. We need to get beyond this notion that humans are the most intelligent presence in the universe. Everywhere I look I see plants that are truly alive, aware, constantly pulsing with mysterious electrical music, and I see that we cannot live on this planet without them.
Listen to Georis's plant playlist specially curated for Nowness