The Koishi interactive planter is a concept from the mind of Maltese designer Noel Zahra. The pot monitors the plant’s activities via two wires clipped to its leaves. These signals are then transformed into an improvisational visual and auditory experience, unique to each plant.
The idea behind the Koishi planter is twofold. First, it aims to allow us to interact with plants in a manner more similar to the way in which we interact with other animals, by giving the plants a voice, so to speak. Second, it allows plants to play a more active role within our homes, more than just as passive air-fresheners.
Zahra posits that by allowing the plants to produce their own sounds and lights, they are finally able to give back to their human caretakers. I would argue that plants already give back to us in volumes, and that we, as humans, don’t make very gracious hosts. After all, the Earth’s plants are responsible for absorbing around 30% of all atmospheric carbon dioxide and provide, either directly or indirectly, almost 100% of all our food, and we are still clearcutting forests around the world.
I’m all for the idea of a “plant peace pot.” But maybe if we could let entire ecosystems be heard, we would all become better listeners.
[vimeo link=”http://vimeo.com/40176599″ width=”600″ height=”338″]
Photos and video © Noel Zahra
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This is amazing and I completely agree with you. Just because other life forms don’t speak our language, doesn’t mean they don’t speak (and indeed have something very important to say). Our species is way too egotistical.