Celestial Gardens: The Secret Sounds of Plants – Carclew Gardens

From the first steps into the Carclew Gardens, an otherworldly energy hangs over Celestial Gardens: The Secret Sound of Plants.

MC Dr Cathy Adamek’s opening statements acknowledged two points; firstly of Celestial Gardens being akin to a ‘mini-WOMAD’ of sorts;  and secondly, that the night, among other things, was about ‘electronic plant music’.

The comparison to that particular festival felt accurate; particularly with picnic rugs, cushions and chairs scattered around the main stage area. Dream catchers, crystals, tea parties and three metre tall butterfly dancers complemented the aesthetic well. Behind the main stage were a group of market stalls selling vintage clothes and gemstones, as well as the ‘Heart Hub’, which was described by Dr Adamek as being able to convert heart rates to light and sound. Unfortunately, the ‘Heart Hub’ had technical issues and was not functioning on the night we were there but it will be a wonderful addition to the event when it’s up and running.

A rotating roster of artists will be playing at Celestial Gardens over its Fringe season; the improvisations of Pravah Trio were an excellent opening salvo. The trio, consisting of Simon Gill on sitar, Tony Hole on handpan and Maz Mahzadfard on tonbak and daf, blended classical world instrumentation from Indian and Persian backgrounds alongside the more recent instrument in the handpan. The band’s music was predominantly improvised; recalling aspects of the classical world music influences they drew from, as well evoking neo-classical minimalist composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Hole acknowledged that while each song had opening and closing sections that were somewhat rehearsed, they were ‘unique versions of each piece every time’.

 This freeform approach to the music of Celestial Gardens was also realised with the Plant Music Sound Installation; perhaps the centre-piece of the event. A bio-dome structure, the installation contains several plants attached to medical-grade electrodes, which would then create music based on one’s proximity, touch and intention towards each plant, all in real time.

The most serene moments of the night arrived when music and sonic art collided, particularly as the sun set over the gardens. The ambience of the plant bio-dome, coupled with hazy lighting, allowed for an ethereal mood to settle among attendees. But it was during the quieter moments of Pravah Trio’s sets, when the plant bio-dome’s music would leak in; an transcendental sense crept in while the two giant butterfly dancers pirouetted around the gardens. When that sense took hold, it felt like Dr Adamek’s ‘mini-WOMAD remark felt truly real.

3 ½ stars

Celestial Gardens: The Secret Sounds of Plants is on at the Carclew Gardens from February 20 to March 1.

Tickets can be purchased from FringeTIX.

Words by Dan Linke.

Photos by Ella Heywood-Smith.