A dialogue beyond the human. On the rugged shores of Hornby Island, British Columbia, Montreal-based studio Daily tous les jours has unveiled Forest Mixer, a project that challenges the traditional boundaries of public art. Founders Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat have long been pioneers in fostering urban social connection, but here, the focus shifts toward the rhythmic vitality of the earth itself. The installation acts as a bridge between the human voice and the subterranean ecosystem, inviting visitors to participate in a sensory exchange that aims to nourish the very ground they stand upon.
From communication to ecological stimulation. Moving beyond earlier explorations of mycelial networks, the designers now focus on the restorative power of sound and vibration. Forest Mixer is rooted in the emerging field of acoustic ecology, specifically how seismic pulses can influence biological processes. By grounding the human experience in these rhythms, the project explores how specific frequencies might encourage soil health and fungal growth. The installation suggests that we are not merely observers of the landscape, but active contributors to its ecological regeneration.
Translating sound into seismic rhythm. The physical presence of the work is characterized by a series of sculptural “whispering dishes” and a central mixing platform nestled among the trees. As participants speak or sing into these acoustic cones, their voices are not just amplified; they are transformed. Through a sophisticated system of tactile transducers, the audio data is converted into low-frequency vibrations that ripple through the wooden floor and into the soil. This interactive installation creates a visceral, haptic experience where the act of communication becomes a tangible, biological catalyst.
Technical precision meets organic form. Achieving this level of sensory immersion required a meticulous collaboration with industrial design studio SSSVLL and specialized sound engineers. The structure itself is designed to age gracefully alongside the surrounding cedar and fir trees, utilizing materials that resonate with the acoustic properties of the environment. Every element of the Forest Mixer—from the curvature of the sound collectors to the placement of the vibrating deck—is calibrated to ensure that the technology remains invisible, serving only to heighten the user’s awareness of the surrounding Pacific Northwest ecology.
A choreography of collective participation. Interaction with the piece is inherently social, yet deeply personal. As multiple users engage with different “dishes” simultaneously, their voices blend within the earth, creating a literal “mixer” of human intent and environmental resonance. This collective input generates a unique acoustic signature for the site, one that changes with every visitor. It transforms the forest clearing into a participatory stage, where the boundaries between the self, the community, and the soil begin to blur into a singular, resonant frequency.
Public space as an environmental catalyst. Beyond its technological novelty, the project serves as a vital social anchor for the local community. It reimagines the role of public art as a tool for environmental stewardship, prompting a collective reflection on how we inhabit shared spaces in the 21st century. By transforming a simple forest walk into a sensory event, Daily tous les jours creates a moment of shared wonder that transcends the individual, turning the act of vocalizing into a powerful gesture of ecological empathy.
The evolution of rhythmic landscapes. This pursuit of merging human activity with the natural cadence of the environment reflects a growing movement in contemporary design. It echoes the atmospheric quality of projects like the Pulse installation at Houghton Festival, where light and sound are used to activate forest clearings through a rhythmic pulse. While Forest Mixer focuses on the seismic and the restorative, both works share a commitment to enhancing our sensory perception of the wild, proving that the most profound interventions are often those that allow us to tune back into the rhythms of the world around us.