Sonic Tides transforms aircraft noise pollution into an immersive installation, giving visible form to an invisible crisis affecting 2.2 million residents near London Heathrow Airport.

Moving beyond conventional sound wave representations, Sonic Tides reimagines aircraft noise as powerful ocean waves through audio-reactive projections. This sonic memoir translates hours of collected airport sound into an emotional audiovisual experience, where the intensity of aircraft noise manifests as increasingly turbulent digital tsunamis that surge across walls and floors. A poem narrated in first person documents a day in the life of a family living near the airport.

While numerous studies document airport noise levels, this project pioneers the artistic visualisation of this persistent environmental challenge, which is particularly urgent as Heathrow plans its expansion.

By merging field recordings with poetry, and advanced data visualisation techniques, Sonic Tides creates a visceral narrative that allows viewers to experience the daily acoustic assault on local communities. The installation renders the abstract concept of noise pollution into a tangible, emotionally resonant experience, fostering public dialogue about urban sound environments and their impact on human well-being.

Field recording, poetry, and data visualisation combined in a 5-minute immersive video. Turn the volume up and enjoy the experience.

Sonic Tides confronts visitors with an urgent environmental crisis hiding in plain sight. For young people especially, the installation triggers a powerful moment of recognition: the constant background noise they've grown up with isn't normal or inevitable – it's an emergency demanding attention.

The experience sparks immediate questions: "Why have we accepted this invasion of our sonic space?" "How is this affecting my community's health?" These questions intensify as viewers realise that airport expansion plans threaten to amplify this invisible assault on their well-being. For many young visitors, this becomes their first awakening to environmental injustice in their own backyard.

This realisation often transforms into action. People leave Sonic Tides with a new vocabulary for their daily experience and tools to challenge the status quo. Many report watching flight paths differently, starting conversations about noise pollution at school, or questioning why some communities bear a heavier burden of environmental stress than others. The installation's emotional impact catalyses a deeper understanding of how urban development choices affect the quality of life, inspiring a new generation to demand healthier, more equitable cities.