Creative Tech Week

Stephanie Rothenberg will exhibit “Planthropy,” a robotic garden from her project "Reversal of Fortune” that examines the intersection of social media, finance and philanthropy. In these gardens plants represent recipients of charitable acts in economically challenged regions, creating a more physical, sensorial experience with data. Through this lens the complex relationship between human life and economic growth is made visible. "Planthropy " is a garden of glowing, digital hanging plants that respond to actual Twitter messages posted by donors to various charities. Each plant represents a charity such as breast cancer or refugees. When the plant receives a Twitter post, its electronic system is activated. The plant is watered while the tweeted messages are played aloud through a computerized voice – “I donate because I’m a survivor," “I donate because it's a tax credit." The result is a global “heartbeat” of synthetic voices emoting the feelings of donors from around the world. The piece was recently exhibited in "Right Here, Right Now" at The Lowry Galleries, Manchester, UK.