Jake Eden
Technicial Specialist
Immersive Media
I’m Jake, a technician at NTU in the Lens-Based Media team. I studied Visual Effects (VFX) before completing a Master’s in Creative Technology at NTU. My background includes working as a freelance VFX artist and editor, followed by gaining a PGCE and teaching VFX and Animation. Alongside my technical role, I continue to take on occasional freelance projects that let me explore storytelling through visual and digital media. Outside of work, I enjoy experimenting with audio production, creative coding, and FPV drone flying—areas that often intersect with my professional interests and feed into my creative practice.
This piece uses a plant to trigger a synth using midi generated from an arduino measuring the plant's biodata. In this the biodata is electrical currents detected within the plant. The plant's health, environment and response to touch helps to create a range of data which can be mapped into MIDI notes, like notes on a keyboard. Therefore the plant is technically creating ambient music; but whether it is conscious of this is debatable.
I like that everyday is different and there is always something going on. Also I think it's pretty funny when you see things 'click' with students and they get excited with using a new tool or technique, especially if it's something you just do as a second nature without thinking of.