EarthCycles uses a small dataset continuously collected in real time in my garden to drive video and sound loops that are manipulated in real time. The data is collected using sensors and a raspberry pi in the garden and is processed using classification and mapping algorithms in SuperCollider. The data relates to the soil conditions in the garden and includes soil temperature and moisture, ambient light, co2 levels and soil nutrient levels.
The work is influenced by permaculture principles - most often applied in gardening - which require whole-systems thinking, consider the interconnections between the earth and human activity, and think about energy in cyclical ways. The Permacomputing concept applies these principles to technology and seeks ways to reduce the environmental impact of computing.
EarthCycles reminds us of the cyclical nature of soil and energy production, the interconnections between the earth and technology and our active participation in this relationship.
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