Hearing Images and Seeing Sound: Interdisciplinary Explorations in Marine Environments in Queensland [Audio-Visual Creative Work]

Research Background

The Southeast Coast of Australia is internationally acclaimed for its aquatic biodiversity. The region is home to marine life grappling with the consequences of climate change; however, conservation is constrained by limited public awareness and substantial knowledge gaps. Employing hydrophones for non-invasive monitoring of marine environments has become a popular way to improve conservation efforts and foster empathy for marine life. This has inspired a body of interdisciplinary creative research on the Sunshine Coast that seeks to raise awareness of marine ecosystems and the numerous vulnerable species on the verge of extinction in Australia. This new creative work extends the Beeyali visualisation techniques by delving into marine environments to examine the shifting acoustic ecologies of our oceans.

Research Contribution

The research investigates processes and concepts crucial for survival across various scales, from the microscopic to the global, and explores novel methods for visualising marine soundscapes to uncover ecological interconnectedness. This research embodies a shared understanding that the arts are key to a relational approach when addressing the health of our communities and environments. This audio-visual work was designed as an experimental way to present creative research remotely for an international audience, where the work speaks for itself and explores new ways that creative practice can act as tools for connection and remote engagement with ecosystems. The creative work aims to illuminate the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in enhancing conservation efforts and fostering a deeper connection with the marine environment.

Research Significance

The project was accepted as a peer reviewed work for EVA London 2023. Founded in 1990 and held annually since, EVA London is the largest international electronic visualisation conference. The work was presented remotely from Queensland and is accompanied by a published peer-reviewed paper in the EVA London 2023 conference proceedings that documents the development of the creative work. EVA London attracts a diverse, international audience interested in new technologies within the arts and culture.