Atlas Obscura and Brooklyn Botanic Garden Present <em>Plantasia</em> - Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Atlas Obscura and Brooklyn Botanic Garden Present Plantasia

Atlas Obscura and Brooklyn Botanic Garden Present Plantasia

Special Events | Evenings

Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Events Begin at 5 p.m. | Three Timed Listening Experiences in the Conservatory
Ticketed Event

Note: Most programs run 5–8 p.m. The 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. listening experiences are fully booked; tickets remain for the 5 p.m. session. Purchase Tickets

Experience Brooklyn Botanic Garden like never before with an evening of music and art created by and for plants.

Join Atlas Obscura, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Sacred Bones Records after hours for a transformative experience combining sound, light, and the gardens’ lush vegetation.

The multisensory experience is inspired by Mort Garson’s 1976 album Mother Earth’s Plantasia, which was intended for plants and the people who love them. The record will be reissued on vinyl June 21, 2019, and available for early purchase by ticketholders.

Biophilic technology designer Mileece

Attendees are invited to explore Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s expansive grounds and participate in one of three timed listening sessions to hear Plantasia in full. The listening sessions inside the Garden’s Conservatory will be introduced by celebrated composer and interactive ecology designer Mileece. She’ll delve into the history of plant-sentience and biocommunication research, and demonstrate her own invention: a botanical feedback system that generates lightscapes and organic music by transforming the bioelectric currents of plants, trees, and even people. Throughout the listening experience, Kirlian photography of plant “auras” will be demonstrated by Jacqueline Castel.

Attendees are also encouraged to check out Sonic Succulents: Plant Sounds and Vibrations at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, an installation of living interactive sound artworks by Los Angeles–based Adrienne Adar, and join a custom tour of Brooklyn Botanic Garden led by a seasoned guide.

Additional programming will be provided by Moog Music, inspired by the role of the analog synthesizer in Plantasia and its influence shaping the future of music. Ticketholders will get to try their hand at self-guided synth explorations and enjoy a durational performance by Ghostly International artist Patricia within the gardens. As a special treat, Moog Music has also located the original Moog synthesizer Mort Garson used to compose Plantasia, which will be on display for visitor viewing during the event.

Dinner and botanical cocktails will be available for purchase. This special ticketed event is part of Twilight Tuesdays, a new program of evening hours offered every Tuesday through September.

Purchase Tickets

Advance ticket sales only. All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

  • Tickets grant entry for one of three timed Plantasia listening experiences taking place within the Conservatory at 5, 6:30, and 8 p.m.
  • Ticketholders should check in at the Garden’s Visitor Center entrance at 990 Washington Avenue. Arrive early to allow time to stroll in the Garden before your session.
  • Mort Garson’s Mother Earth’s Plantasia is available for purchase on vinyl and CD, and may be added to your ticket order for pickup at the event.

Image, top of page: Steven Severinghaus