Smoke in the Water: Raising Awareness on Noise Pollution Through Interactive Art

Many marine organisms rely on sound for communication, navigation and understanding of the environment. However, the expansion of human activities, such as underwater extraction and shipping industries, increased the risk for marine species to lose hearing, augment stress, and develop behavioural disorders. Smoke in the Water is an interactive installation designed to raise awareness of the power of sound in marine life and the impact of anthropogenic noise, known as ocean noise pollution. Through an immersive experience, participants will navigate noisy, polluted waters, experiencing the same disorientation faced by aquatic organisms. By exploring the possibilities of positive awareness, the installation allows visitors to activate existing solutions, such as underwater barriers or noise-reduction technologies, to help mitigate the phenomenon. This drives the audience to engage in environmental conservation, inspiring action to protect the ocean from harmful noise pollution through participatory art and technology.