Sonic Tides: When Noise Pollution Becomes Visible by Tiziana Alocci

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 data-driven, audio-reactive projections. This sonic memoir translates hours of collected airport sound data 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.