How do you respond to the nature around you? Through words, music, painting, or sculpture? “Re:Sound” invites you to engage with nature in a completely new way through a collaborative art experience.
Funded by the North Carolina Artist Support Grant, “Re:Sound” began with the purchase of two PlantWave devices, which analyze plants’ energy and create a mathematical sine wave. These electrical impulses are then translated into sound through digital envelopes, giving a voice to plants grown by College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Agri-Business students. Music Appreciation students and the broader student body reflected on the plants’ characteristics and selected music profiles that “sounded like” each plant. This inspired more than 100 students to create unique artwork across English classrooms, art studios, and pottery sheds.
The exhibition is the culmination of this process—bringing together nature, science, technology, and human creativity.
The project is led by Sandra Krueger, the Miles Clark Endowed Chair of Music at COA, with contributions from students across COA’s seven-county service area in Northeastern North Carolina. Krueger is also planning a new phase of this project, “Re:Sound Echo,” in Spring 2025. This phase will sample plants from COA’s Elizabeth City campus’ Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail, creating artwork and soundscapes accessible through QR codes along the trail. In addition to the PlantWave devices, Krueger plans to use microphones and a hydrophone to capture the sounds of nature.
The “Re:Sound” exhibition will be displayed at the Professional Arts Building Gallery at COA – Dare from October 28 to November 14, 2024. An opening reception will be held on October 28 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Professional Arts Building at 205 US-64, Manteo, NC. The exhibition will then travel to the Arts of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City for its First Friday event on December 6, 2024.
College of The Albemarle – Dare gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and all are welcome to experience this unique fusion of art and nature.