Bridging nature and technology with Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots from SPLACES.STUDIO
In this interview, Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots from SPLACES.STUDIO talk about the creative and technical process behind the interactive sculpture "Megalith," which transforms a stone into an immersive, responsive soundscape.
SPLACES.STUDIO brings together artists, engineers, and scientists to collaborate on projects that combine light, sound, and natural elements, aiming to create sustainable, nature-inspired solutions. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, their interdisciplinary approach leads to artworks that challenge traditional boundaries and encourage viewers to rethink their relationship with the natural world.
Megalith invites participants to engage with a large stone through tactile interaction, using a network of sensors and neural networks that trigger sounds recorded in a forest. The sculpture blurs the line between the organic and the technological, evoking a deeper connection to nature by allowing viewers to "hear" the stone's environment.
Listen to this podcast to learn about:
- The intricate artistic and technical development of Megalith, from harnessing piezoelectric microphones to using neural networks
- How SPLACES.STUDIO merges the digital and physical realms, using tactile interaction to create a deeper sensory connection with nature
- SPLACES.STUDIO's interdisciplinary approach, where artists, engineers, and scientists collaborate to create nature-inspired installations
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Highlights
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(02:23) Bridging nature and technology
- (14:37) Transforming stones into interactive sound art with neural networks
- (21:59) SPLACES.STUDIO: Integrating science and technology for real change
- (28:50) Advice on interactivity
About Khristina Ots
Khristina Ots is an art and science curator, researcher, and educator at SPLACES.STUDIO. She leads the curatorial department at the Art & Science Center of ITMO University, focusing on nature-driven technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations. A co-founder of the ASTA Award, Khristina has curated over 15 exhibitions and produced more than 20 projects. Her work has been featured at events like Ars Electronica and the Wrong Biennale. Khristina's curatorial approach emphasises the intersection of art, technology, and environmental philosophy, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
About Andrey Shibanov
Andrey Shibanov is the co-founder and creative producer of SPLACES.STUDIO and the founder and executive producer of COOLDOWN.PRO. He is an expert in modern editing and colour correction for cinema and advertising. Andrey has worked on commercials and music videos that have collectively garnered 560 million organic views. His work has earned recognition at international festivals, including Cannes Short Film Festival, Cannes Lions, and Manchester Film Festival. He has won numerous awards across both advertising and film industries.
Key Takeaways from this interview with Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots
The creation and experience of Megalith
Megalith is an interactive sculpture that transforms a large stone into a living soundscape through tactile interaction. By touching the stone, participants trigger soundscapes recorded in the Karelian forest, merging the digital and physical worlds to create a profound sensory experience.
Bridging the gap between nature and technology
Megalith challenges the traditional divide between the organic and synthetic. Through advanced neural networks and piezoelectric sensors, SPLACES.STUDIO creates a seamless interaction between the stone and participants, bringing new life to inanimate objects and encouraging empathy toward the natural world
Collaboration as the key to interdisciplinary success
SPLACES.STUDIO's approach to creating Megalith involved an interdisciplinary team of artists, engineers, and scientists. The collaboration allowed them to merge expertise from various fields, creating a project that pushes the boundaries of both art and technology.
The challenge of seamless technology integration
Ensuring that Megalith responded only to human touch while filtering out background noise required the development of a neural network
Advice
"I think the very important thing is to ask yourself, why are you doing an interactive piece? I think it’s very important to ask yourself what additional value the interactive part can bring to your project. Why do you need it? What message can it help to bring to the public?" - Khristina Ots