“On Underwater Background Noise” is a visualization study and sound sculpture based on underwater noise of anthropogenic origins collected at Puerto Rico’s San Juan Bay. This type of noise is a critical factor when considering potential threats to certain maritime populations. And so, this piece makes visible furtive acoustic sound waves that are strong enough to
induce extinction and chaos in marine ecosystems while aiding humanity.
As the collected sounds play through the speaker, a needle that is attached to it gently hits a water bed. A diagonal mirror reflects the waves generated by the contact between the needle and the water into a screen.
Materials:
Sound Sculpture. Prepared Ripple Tank, Water from the San Juan Bay, 5” speaker, recycled power generator, hydroponic background noise of varied frequencies, mirror, needle. 30”x15”x 22’.
Collected sound samples:
Collecting hydroponic noise at the San Juan Bay (February 2019)
