Bompas & Parr Studio in collaboration with Assoc Prof Monica Gagliano, Dr Claire Farrell and the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne.  

Installation view of Sentient Forest by Bompas & Parr Studio (UK) in collaboration with Assoc Prof Monica Gagliano, Dr Claire Farrell and the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne (AU) in Science Gallery Melbourne's SWARM, (Alan Weedon, 2022)

What’s your connection to nature?

Forests are transportive - when we enter into woods, we find a new reality: densely tangled canopies high above, cracks of sunlight shining down illuminating the undergrowth, the smell of wet earth, crunching twigs underfoot as the wind whistles around knobbly trunks. Plants do not possess brains or neurones; consequently, we may not believe they are intelligent beings. However, they have complex behaviours such as information acquisition, memory, learning, decision making and potentially swarm intelligence through their roots. Pick up the headphones at one of our forest listening stations to hear a soundscape exploring tree communication and bioacoustics as you immerse yourself in the smells of the forest through our specially curated scents. Interact with the gum trees and see how their behaviour changes in response to your presence.

Do you ever feel like trees are watching you?

Bompas & Parr Studio are UK based multi-sensory experience designers. Their work ranges from food and drink design to creating immersive experiences around the world. The studio works with commercial brands, artistic institutions, private clients and governments to deliver emotionally compelling experiences to a wide variety of audiences. The multi-disciplinary studio now consists of a team of creatives, strategists, designers, cooks, specialised technicians, producers and filmmakers.

Associate Professor Monica Gagliano’s background as an animal behavioural scientist has meant her approach to plant studies differs from those in her field, her willingness to look at the subject from new angles has led to groundbreaking discoveries in plants’ abilities to learn, remember and hear.

Dr Claire Farrell works with plants to make cities more liveable through urban greening. Claire’s research evaluates how plants function to select plants which can thrive in green roofs, walls and urban plantings to create green and resilient cities.

JPL flavour house aim to bring creativity and fresh new ideas to the forefront of the flavour industry. Their vast experience developing flavours in the F&B sector enables them to answer truly unique briefs. This technical know-how combined with their state of the art technology means this young company have the ability to quickly turnaround bespoke, market leading flavours for a range of exciting projects.