Event 2 - Noise Aquarium

Event 2 - Noise Aquarium

3D Audio Visual Experience of Plankton in Noise Pollution 

3D-image of Paramecium Sp., one of the seven micro-
organisms topographically scanned for the Noise Aquarium

On May 14^th, I attended a demo showing of the Noise Aquarium installation designed and created by Prof. Vesna and collaborating researchers from Vienna. The project is an interactive audio-visual experience in which 7 planktonic organisms are brought to life through projections augmenting them to appear as large as whales. The plankton are surrounding by floating micro-plastics, and the noise filling the room is a mixture of marine-life sounds and noise pollution from sonar, fracking and motor boats. The project goal is to inform and caution participants on the adverse effects of human pollution on oceans, especially in relation to the microscopic plankton that exist at the bottom of the food and form the basis of life in the ocean.

Participant standing on pressure-sensitive platform
interacting with the Noise Aquarium

What really impressed me was the incredible 3D-imaging and modelling performed to obtain highly-detailed renditions of the different plankton. Magnifying the plankton from a microscopic organism to a whale-sized figure really made me appreciate the beauty and complexity of these organisms giving them the attention they deserve, especially when considering their prominence in oceanic ecosystem. The animations also added to my feeling of awe when observing the plankton.

The noise pollution heard throughout the experience was loud and obnoxious, which was the whole point. As quoted from the project booklet handed out to participants, “current scientific studies have demonstrated how noise sources such as sonar and fracking influence large marine life with shocking examples such as stranded whales and dolphins.” Given that these large animals are so disturbingly affected, one can only imagine the devastating effects this can have on smaller-scale organisms that are more sensitive to environmental changes such as plankton.

The Noise Aquarium was personally such a valuable experience and event to attend as it made me appreciate the magnificence of how art and science can be brought together to bring to life some of the amazing occurrences in nature. Furthermore, it made me recognize how art can be used to give emotion and weight to scientific information, making science more personal and identifiable with people. The demo helped me understand how human pollution does not simply affect the macroscopic but also the microscopic. 

Selfie of me at the Noise Aquarium demo

Participant observing the Actinotroch Larvae