f the Dutch town of Venhuizen, Jessica designed Sound Zen Gardens to help us reconnect with the landscape. Metal flowers amplify the pitter patter of raindrops while willow branches pulled around a tree trunk generate a satisfying rustle, as well as a meditative visual of concentric circles in the soil – reminiscent of traditional Zen gardens. These acoustic interventions in the surroundings enhance features that already exist. We just need to open our ears.
The spirit of this project was inspired by John Cage’s approach to noise and improvisation.
Natural sounds are used to meditate and to find a mental balance. Those natural sounds surrounds us, they are free and with this installation people can benefit and have a personal sensorial experience of the beautiful landscape of Veenhuizen.
This design intervention uses a plant that is largely present in the landscape of Veenhuizen to create WILLOW COMPASS GARDEN. It transforms the garden of the Koepelkerk (church) of Veenhuizen in a space for meditation. Here people will compose soundscape by walking around trees while using compasses designed to create natural noises.
RAIN FLOWER WALK amplify the sound of rain creating a pattern along the way to the Nationaal Gevangenismuseum (Museum of Dutch crime and prisons).
The path of flowers is divided in three groups in a way to have pauses in the composition. This will give the understanding of rain’s noise where are amplified and where those aren’t.
The position of the elements will also be perceived with different tempo depending on how fast you walk trough the path.
Exhibited at the Dutch Design Week 2016