Talking Plant Sense is a multisensory design and research project that creates a new language for plant perception – and aims to make it physically and emotionally tangible through an immersive VR experience.

 

Plants see, smell, feel, and communicate – just not like we do.
They sense light, send chemical signals in danger, perceive vibrations in the soil, and live through underground networks. Their perception is subtle but deeply embedded in the living systems of this planet. The problem? We don’t have the words for it. And what we cannot name, we rarely notice – let alone care for.

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Talking Plant Sense sets out to close that language gap. It introduces four new words to describe how plants perceive the world:

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• inlux – sensing light

• chemse – responding to scent & chemistry

• pervibe – feeling vibration & sound

• phytact – perceiving touch and closeness

 

The next step is a VR installation where visitors explore plant perception with all senses – standing barefoot on a responsive surface, surrounded by light, scent, vibration, and touch.

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Two contrasting stories form the emotional arc: A stressed, isolated city tree and a connected, resonant forest tree. A journey from disconnection to relationship.

 

Status: In development

 

The concept, narrative and vocabulary are ready. Now I’m looking for collaborators in VR development, sensory design, sound & spatial interaction to help bring this experience to life.

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Talking Plant Sense is more than an exhibition. It’s a new way of thinking about plants – not through facts, but through feeling. If this resonates with you:

Let’s build it. Let’s talk plant.

Format : Awareness Campaign & VR Experience

Topic: Plants and their abilities

Publication: Dutch Design Week, exhibition and talk 

Year: 2020

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