Orchid Soundscapes with Juraj Kojš

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden presents Miami-based composer, sonic artist and artphibian Juraj Kojš in his continuous exploration of music making with orchids. Three modules will feature sonic and ultrasonic plant-inspired soundscapes (Orchid Music Ultrasonic), a sonified orchid DNA installation (Orchid DNA DJ), and a collection of plant-tech objects (O-Things).

A 2023 study from Tel Aviv University showed that the plants have the ability to produce airborne sounds in very high frequency region outside of the human auditory range. Searching to expand our hearing consciousness to the domain of ultrasound, Kojš set up his ultrasonic microphone to record orchids and respectfully eavesdrop in on their conversations. Orchid Music Ultrasonic features 10 small solar powered playback-speaker units streaming sonic soundscapes that combine sonic and ultrasonic recordings of Florida native orchids and their surrounding environment.

Kojš’s will also showcase his Orchid DNA DJ interactive sound installation. Yes, you will be able to scrub through the orchid DNA and make some orchid beats! Choose one of the Florida native orchid DNA sequences and jam away with Kojš’ custom-designed digital music interface, synthesizer and sequencer.

O-Things is a collection of upcycled plant-tech objects that feature orchids mounted on retired sonic media such as speakers, CDs, cassettes, sound toys and music instruments. Co-habiting the space, the orchids hug the media with their expansive roots, injecting new lives to otherwise discarded and forgotten items. Some objects play sound, many remain silent. Ecological braiding between plants and inorganic (mostly plastic-based) materials imagines fun orchid-music making long after the humans have perished.

Aside from visiting the speaker stations located around the garden, at 12:30 pm each day, Juraj Kojš will perform live on his laptop, mixing sonic and ultrasonic soundscapes, and you will be able to try out the Orchid DNA DJ installation and join the guided tour of the exhibit.

Exhibit:  10:00 am – 4:00 pm (self-guided)

Performance and guided tour: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Presented with the support of Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

Cost:  Free