Designed by artist Suchi Reddy, Turbulence 2025 is a series of reflective panels with parts that undulate in the landscape, accompanied by a sonic installation. Gathering and distorting its surroundings, the work reflects the landscape in a way unseen before. This site-specific work was designed to make the invisible visible. Inspired by research on how plants express stress as sounds in a frequency that human ears cannot hear, nonetheless sending a message possibly legible to other species, this work seeks to make present what we don’t see and don’t hear to inspire empathy and action. What do we do, when we know that what is happening is harmful—for the planet and for us? Who hears and sees our distress? Created for Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2025
Listen to the full audio composition by Malloy James.
Watch a behind-the-scenes video featuring Suchi Reddy and Malloy James
Reddy is inspired by the work of scientists Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel, whose research explores how plants under stress emit sounds beyond our hearing. The researchers say that each plant and each type of stress is associated with a specific identifiable sound. “Our findings suggest that the world around us is full of plant sounds, and that these sounds contain information—for example about water scarcity or injury,” says Hadany. “Apparently, an idyllic field of flowers can be a rather noisy place. It’s just that we can’t hear the sounds.”
Suchi Reddy, fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is an architect, designer, and artist based in NYC. In 2002, she founded Reddymade, which focuses on public art installations, large-scale commercial spaces, and residential projects. Guided by her mantra “form follows feeling,” Reddy’s architectural and artistic practice is informed by her research on neuroaesthetics, which examines the impact our environments have on the brain and body. Artist website: rmdny.com
Luminux, aluminum frame
With special thanks to Jancik Arts, Inc. and Malloy JamesPlant Sound Research
About the Artist
About the Composer
A formally trained musician and sound engineer, Malloy James embodies an open, fluid, artistic, and engaging approach to contemporary composition and style.
In addition to his solo artistic practice, James is an accomplished sound designer, creating ethereal compositions for projects with Lexus International, the National Building Museum, and the Miami Design District, to name a few. He has participated in a number of leading design residencies, including the inaugural summer residency at Alvar Aalto’s Paimio Sanatorium in Finland, the Design Akadamie Saaleck in Germany, and La Becque in Switzerland. James was born and raised in New York City and holds an MFA in Music Composition from the Juilliard School.
Support
Leadership support for Art and Exhibitions at BBG is generously provided by the Heidi Nitze Foundation.