Garden of Ghost Flowers is a virtual being that feeds on the voices of those who visit it. It is inspired in part by two things; firstly the sociological concept of resonance, defined by sociologist Hartmut Rosa as a mode of interacting with the world that is not based on control, but rather in an attitude of open listening through which one can be truly affected by the other. Secondly, it is inspired by Monotropa Uniflora, commonly known as the ghost flower, a plant that abandoned photosynthesis, survives in darkness, and feeds on the fungal web in the earth's soil. The experience takes place in a biosphere that holds a digital life-form modeled after the traits of the ghost flower - an entity that feeds on human resonance: networks of human qualities, such as listening, caring, and adapting, expressed through the voices of the visitors. The life cycle of the Ghost Flower lasts for 20 minutes and can accommodate a group of up to 20 people, the vocal interactions of which form a unique biotope from which the digital flower grows. Some groups are deserts, some are lush forests, while others are something else entirely. At first, the growing flower might be fragile and tender, but as soon as it gains strength from the collective resonance, it grows and thrives, subsuming the group until it blurs the boundaries of its constituents. Like with its biological counterpart, it is uncertain if the virtual Ghost Flower is symbiotic or parasitic. Where do the human end and the flower begin?

 

Collaborators
Rachel Alexander
Hara Alonso

Co-production
Garden of Ghost Flowers is a STRP ACT AWARD commission

Co-production by: 
Manchester International Festival (UK)
Screen City Biennale (NO

The Garden of Ghost Flowers is researched and developed with support by CPH:LAB, IDFA DocLAB and Magasin lll’s Work in Progress program.

Lundahl & Seitl is supported by:
Kulturbryggan - Swedish Art Grants Committee
Swedish Arts Council
City of Stockholm