THE MOSSPIT

The Mosspit! An incredibly deep and thoughtful yet simple way of reconnecting with nature through music, moss and a Makey Makey board. Recommended by peers, maestros, top models and athletes as a fun and enticing way to spend time.

For the Mosspit:

1x Wood panel (preferably irregular shaped and recycled, min size 60x40cm)

3x steel panels (min size 11x20cm)

15x screws

Makey Makey board

6x alligator clips 

1x long alligator clip (1 meter min)

6x female to male pinhead jumper wire

Sewing pin

Planting soil 

Fresh moss with roots

Water

Sand 

Epoxy 

Good vibezzz

For the Foot pad:

Metal plate (40x40cm)

Cardboard (80x80cm)

Dried moss 

Wood glue 

Tools: 

A drill

A jigsaw

3D printer 

Lighter 

Glue gun

Pliers

Scissors

Xacto knife

Laptop

Dongle 

Music program of choice (we are using Ableton live)

As the Mosspit is a collaboration with nature, we find it imperative that you spend time getting acquainted. How is however up to you, but we do suggest a good frolic or a classic roll around.

Start by drilling 5 holes into the top of the metal sheet. Then using the hopefully already misshaped wood panel, place the metal sheets on the sides of the panel and drill them in place.

It is best to bend the metal slightly before doing so but when the screws are tightened completely it should automatically lay down following the curves of the panel.

Next, we print the pots! Using this beautiful design of our moss-pots you will need to print 6x A, 1xB, and 1xC.

By placing the pots on top of the wood panel, you are now able to arrange your layout. Trace the pots in place with a pencil, remove the pots then cut it out using the jigsaw.

This would be a good time to frolic again..

With pliers holding a sewing pin in one hand and a lighter in the other, heat the pin up until red then stick it through the bottom of each moss-pot. Let it cool down for a bit and then use the pliers to bend it so it lies completely flat on the inside of the pot.

Make sure to leave a 2 mm piece sticking out on the other side. When the pin is properly situated seal it in with a glue gun.

Now we get wholesome! Using the soil as a base in the moss-pots, simply plant the moss.

The 2 misshaped pots (B and C) are meant as make-shift puddles and to keep the nature aesthetic we decided to sand coat them.

Cover the inside of the pot in epoxy or other water-resistant glue then pour sand into it, swirl it around and finally shake it out and let it dry. Remember to wipe the texture of the pin at the bottom.

To create the stepping pad we start by cutting out the cardboard in an irregular natural shape. Placing your feet on the cardboard then tracing around them reveals the part you will need to cut out.

Underneath the cardboard is then where you glue the metal plate so it is only visible through the cut-out itself. To give it the illusion of you standing in a natural setting you use dry moss to cover the remaining visible cardboard.

It's important to test along the way so take off your shoes and socks and step up on it. Have you been transported to a place that is not your living room or workspace floor? Possibly where one would frolic or roll around?

Good! Then we are on the right track!

Now we connect. Using the alligator clips, on one end connect them to the pin sticking out of the bottom of the pots and the other to a jumper wire. The jumping wire then connects directly to the Makey Makey board.

The pots planted with moss go to plugs marked A, W, S, D, F, and G which will be your notes/sounds and the puddles then connect to the up/down keys as an effect controller. Last but not least clasp the long alligator clip to the stepping pad and then to the "ground" on the board. Then using your dongle connect the Makey Makey to your computer and voila!

Everything is almost ready! Once you've watered the moss and filled the puddles, all we need is the beats.

Drawing inspiration from your time spent with nature during the first step choose synths and sounds that represent this now collaborator of yours.

All done! Nothing left to do than to go wild, enjoy!