2023
sonic footprints
"Sonic Footprints" is an investigative project that seeks to explore the impact of industrial sound emissions on the environment, viewing them as an ecological footprint. The investigation centers on the question of how mass-produced objects may interfere with ecosystems through the sounds that are generated during their manufacturing.
To examine this issue, the project focuses on the production of a PVC-toy-dolphin as a case study. Through field recordings obtained both in air and underwater, the complete sonic landscape of the toy's supply chain is captured, uncovering sound emissions that interfere with the habitat of real dolphins.The project takes into account the ultrasonic hearing range of dolphins, recognizing that sounds that are inaudible to humans may still impact them. As technology exists to bridge this perceptual gap, a debate on the agency of such technology opens up, since the information that such technology produces remains subjective to its design.
The culmination of the project is the creation of a vinyl record that hold engraved the toy-dolphin's sonic footprint. This record, made from the same material as the toy-dolphin, reproduce the sounds of its production both above and below water. The records serve as a tangible and enduring artifact of the project's exploration into the interconnectedness between mass-produced objects and ecosystems.In search for the acoustic traces of the production of a toy dolphin, several fieldrecordings were collected. Both with a hydrophone as well as a stereo microphone, the supply chain of this product was captured acoustically both above as well as under water.
Since sound has different properties under water than in air, the recording technology as well as it’s assesment differ quite a lot from classical atmospheric recordings.
listen to the both the podcast (with Christopf Zürn) and the interview (with Dagmar Kleemann) about sonic footprints on Spotify:
the harbor of Rotterdam, where part of the fieldrecordings were collectedthe atlantic ocean, where fieldrecordings were capturedcapturing fieldrecordings with a hydrophone from the shorerecordings were both collected above as well as under water to juxtapose the two different soundscapesrefinery and PVC production. The absence of animal sounds in this space showcases the absecnce of life faders allowing visitors to compare both the soundscapes of underwater and airexhibition during DDW 2023exhibition design with soundproofing foamsubwoofers were specifically designed to play the low freqiencies of the recorded noisetwo vinyls containing the soundscape of above and under waterhornspeaker setup designed for directional sound dispersion in the exhibition spacenoise cancelling headphones allow listeners to listen to the recorded interviews while being exposed to the noise of the vinyl2022
binding reeds
In collaboration with the OCEAN Space in Venice, a concept was developed on how the progressive process of the loss of sediment in the lagoon can be slowed down. The idea resulted from several interviews with a geomorphologist, a biologist and the farmers responsible for the extraction and preservation of reeds (Phragmites Australis).The reeds, once native to the lagoon, prevent sediments from being washed away and can therefore make a positive contribution to preserving the local ecosystem. By reintroducing reed cultivation in the region and processing the material into nesting sites for endangered species, a contribution can be made to preserving the local ecosystem.The research and the concept were told in a visual essay.
a survey of maps reveals the decay of the lagoons marshlanda survey of maps reveals the decay of the lagoons marshlanda survey of maps reveals the decay of the lagoons marshlanda survey of maps reveals the decay of the lagoons marshlanda survey of maps reveals the decay of the lagoons marshlandbinding reeds by handvisiting the lagoon of venicereet processing for thatchinga visit to a reet farmer gave a closer insight into how farming and ecological conservation can go hand in handreet grows in wetlands that make up important ecosystems for insects birds and many other speciesfreshly cut reetsdesigning with reet, simple objects are specifically designed for certain species to find shelter2022
down the road
Every year, hundreds of square kilometers of land are sealed for road construction worldwide. The project „Down the Road“ asks what effects this impermeability has on the soil flora. In addition to reducing rainwater infiltration, roads flush tons of microplastics from vehicle tire wear into the ground every year. At the same time, constant traffic means noise pollution that not only has an impact above ground.
From a collection of factors whose effects have not yet been researched, a video installation has been created that graphically and acoustically reflects the issues.2022
pirates of the caribbean
Since the colonization of the Caribbean, a hybrid culture has emerged from both the already existing cultures and the colonial powers. This overlap is particularly evident in the
language, Creole, which differs from island to island. What significance do national borders still have in such a conglomerate of cultures? What cultural identity does the mass of water surrounding the islands, which are divided by clear borders, carry?
Various GIS data were evaluated in a map section of the Caribbean, the visualization of which is intended to illustrate the complexity of the history of this region.
investigation of historical mapscalculating the volume of seawater that belongs to each territorry as a way to understand territorry on a 3-dimensional level.2021
where does the milk come from?
At a time when food ends up on supermarket shelves as industrial goods in plastic or paper packaging, the connection to its origin is sometimes lost.
Cow's milk in particular, the production of which is extremely resource-intensive, is often taken for granted and can be bought for €1.50 in a Tetrapak.
The design of this jug experiments humorously with the idea of recalling the origin of the milk through its shape.2021
humulus lupulus
Hops are a plant with a high lignin content in their fibers, which makes them particularly resistant for their fibres.
As a waste product of the beer industry, several tons of potential resources remain unused every year.
In this project, in consultation with hop farmers, engineers and textile designers, an attempt was made to find a method of
to extract the hop fibers into a semi-finished product.
The result was a felt mat with similar properties to coconut fibers.
comparing the surface of land thats needed to produce one ton of hop fibre compared to one ton of coconut fibre (coir).looking at the fibres through a microscope reveals their stable structureharvesting of hop fibre stems2021
rain tile
The Rain Tile is an extension of a classic interlocking roof tile. Rainwater collects through a notch on the surface, enabling the partial greening of sloping roofs according to the principle of the sponge city.
The object was created in a workshop on mold making with clay.
2020
fountain
Fountain investigates the usability of rain as a drinking water resource. As one of the few water sources that has not yet been privatized, rain offers
a source of water that can guarantee supply to the commons if stored properly.
However, as rainwater is often undrinkable due to atmospheric contamination and is difficult to be stored hygienically, the project investigates how sphagnum moss can act as a living filter.
To this end, interviews were conducted with biologists and UBA employees in the field of drinking water treatment in order to substantiate the feasibility of the project.
The project is an impulse to rethink ecological forms of coexistence between humans and plants in relation to drinking water.