Berlin’s Glowing Tree Concert Plays Ambient Nature Songs as Chestnuts Fall from Above

Last week an incredible light and sound installation in Berlin had a giant chestnut tree conducting its own music! Installed by the Federal Environment and Nature Conservation (<a href="http://www.bund.net/ueber_uns/bund_in_english/http://www.bund.net/ueber_uns/bund_in_english/" target="_blank">BUND</a>) and <a href="http://www.bbdoproximity.de/bbdoproximity/news/20120921_Ein_Baum_macht_Musik_Berlin.html" target="_blank">BBDO Proximity Berlin</a>, a series of geometric forms <a href="http://inhabitat.com/10000-glowing-books-spill-into-streets-of-melbourne-in-luzinterruptus-literature-vs-traffic-installation/" target="_blank">glowing with LED lights</a> were arranged under the landmark tree. As the chestnuts naturally fell from above, their impact on the shapes below would <a href="http://inhabitat.com/be-open-sound-portal-brings-music-and-acoustic-art-to-trafalgar-squares-crowds-at-london-design-festival/" target="_blank">activate sounds</a> composed by <a href="http://www.gangofberlin.comhttp://www.gangofberlin.com" target="_blank">Gang of Berlin</a> and <a href="http://www.ketchum.comhttp://www.ketchum.com" target="_blank">Ketchum Pleon PR</a>.

With the infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernsehturm_Berlin" target="_blank">Fernsehturn TV Tower</a> glittering like a needle in the background, the glowing Tree Concert welcomed visitors to Berlin’s Monbjoupark.

The 100 year old chestnut tree towers over the park, its thick branches becoming a mass of green leaves. Below the tree, angular geometric forms were installed, their points jutting out from the ground.

Covered in taut polymer membranes, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-cloud-made-from-6000-burnt-out-incandescent-bulbs-lights-up-the-night-in-calgary/" target="_blank">translucent surfaces</a> would come to life as the tree sheds its chestnuts.

As each nut strikes, the membranes are activated, and release a spurt of ambient sound. With one chestnut following the other, the musical atmosphere created was meant to evoke the turning of the seasons from Summer to Fall.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/victoria-albert-museum-showcases-sustainable-design-during-london-design-festival/" target="_blank">glowing forms</a> below combined with the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/6-examples-of-innovative-architecture-inspired-by-music/" target="_blank">interactive sounds</a> make a warm and welcoming magical site. From September 17-23rs, visitors could revel in the tree symphony while relaxing on the grass of their favorite park.

The innovative installation was designed to promote awareness of the dwindling tree population in the German capital, bringing magic back to nature.