Deepwood is a new immersive audio project by Bristol-based company, Mechanimal. It's at prototype stage, supported by Digital Catapult in partnership with KWMC. 
 
What if the pattern recognition ability of AI could help us gain deeper insights into nature? Deepwood explores how plant biosensors, machine learning and spatial audio can take us closer to the hidden world of activity inside trees. The project explores the creation of a new deep-listening experience - a live, audio-based encounter with a tree, based on real-time plant data. Can machine learning help develop an experience whereby the tree is orchestrating the sounds that we hear? How can we transform tree data into imaginative, emotive soundscapes around the tree? 
 
The talk is delivered by project creative director Tom Bailey, and plant biosensor/ machine learning designer, Danilo Oliveria Vaz. Tom is a performance artist and immersive experience designer, based at the PM Studio. He creates work through award-winning company Mechanimal. Danilo is an independent researcher of the emerging field of interspecies communication, working with biosensing and AI towards new ways for us to perceive and interact with the more-than-human world.
 

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 14th February 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:
Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:
The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.