Humboldt current Soundscape. Manel de Aguas and Claudia Paredes Intriago

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

Humboldt current Soundscape / Sound and visual sensibilities are applied into different medias to respond to environmental and political urgencies.
Research and Design: Concerns about the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine species, in particular sea turtles, has stimulated new studies to establish to the present-day ocean noise levels framed into certain range of frequencies. Manel de Aguas (cyborg artist and transpecies activist) and Claudia Paredes (researcher and designer), have shaped this collaborative project on the trend of low-frequencies (10–400 Hz), ambient noise levels, present in the weather measurements that the cyborg fins of Manel can reach. The fins, formally known as ‚Weather Fins‘, allow him to hear atmospheric pressure, humidity and temperature changes through implants at each side of his head. The final outcome is a sound map of different patters of weather scenarios in the Humbolt current and in the Mediterranean Sea, where anthropocentric noise pollution and temperature sea level rise are both creating a threat for the reproduction of endangered sea turtles. The performance introduces another pitch captured by a theremin shaped into the pelvic bone of a sea turtle, designed by Claudia Paredes Intriago. The theremin plays the role of distressing the weather soundscape. This project allows us to question how background noises, together with temperature sea level rise, are crucial for the reproduction of endangered sea turtles.

Soundscape response: As sound waves travel through the implants on Manel De Aguas, those harmonic vibrations engage the relaxation-response, resulting in restorative brain frequencies, slow breathing and heart rate, and lower blood pressure, creating a deep sense of wellbeing and promoting healing. These vibrations are important for us humans, but especially important for the underwater spices.

Research and Performance developed under the supervision of Angela Rui, Paolo Patelli and Formafantasma / Geo-Design Master 2020 – 2021 by Formafantasma – Design Academy Eindhoven