A New Atmospheric Presence

Jaakko Metsäpelto’s sound installation A New Atmospheric Presence is inspired by a recently studied phenomenon called ”plastic rain”. In the phenomenon, microplastics that enter the water cycle end up in our atmosphere where they travel vast distances with wind and rainwater, polluting even the most remote locations on earth. Rain and wind, which are traditionally seen as nature’s purifiers and symbols of freshness, are now full of plastic according to studies.

Metsäpelto made underwater sound recordings in busy Greek harbours and at a wastewater treatment plant in Kuopio, Finland, where hydrophones (underwater microphones) were lowered into massive waste filtration pools. The soundscapes captured at these different locations are combined with voices whispering words that different languages and cultures use for windy and rainy weather conditions. The words are being spoken in eight languages by a native speaker of each language, as if whispering into the exhibition space.

Accompanying the sound work, written quotes are also displayed on the wall of the exhibition space, which (including the title of the work) have been taken from plastic rain related scientific publications that were published in well known science magazines. When taken out of their original context, the quotes start to resemble a science fiction novel, adding to the cryptic atmosphere of the work.

Spoken languages:

Arabic, English, French, Finnish, Romanian, German, Russian, Spanish

3 speakers, Raspberry pi boards, carton paper

Photos: KUBU & Jaakko Metsäpelto
Promotional artwork (5th image from top): Jaakko Metsäpelto
 

See exhibition shedule and locations here