This project presents an immersive sound piece in Ambisonics that explores the environmental impact of the construction of Montijo Airport on the Tagus estuary in Portugal. Using three-dimensional audio technology, the piece offers a sensory experience that highlights the acoustic richness of the local ecosystem and warns of threats to biodiversity, especially migratory birds.
The composition integrates bird vocalizations and aircraft noise simulations, structured in sound layers that exploit the three-dimensional spatiality offered by Ambisonic technology. Played in an environment with 16 loudspeakers, the piece distributes the sounds vertically: the bird calls fill the upper space, as do the aircraft noises, creating an illusion of reality, while the water sounds are located in the lower layer, creating an immersive sound sphere. This structuring reflects the ecological reality of the estuary and the potential impact of the airport. Based on recent scientific studies, the project shows that airport noise could affect up to 68% of the birds of certain species present, in stark contrast to initial estimates of just 6%. Through this sound representation, the work aims to document current acoustic biodiversity and create a record for future generations, in the face of the possible irreversible degradation of the ecosystem.
By inviting the public to immerse themselves in the sound reality of the estuary, the project promotes reflection on the ecological consequences of urban development and the importance of environmental preservation. The abrupt transition between natural and urban sounds emphasizes the disruption caused by human activity, demonstrating how sound art can raise awareness of urgent environmental issues.
By focusing on noise pollution and the disruption of birds’ migratory cycles, the work highlights the interconnection between human development and natural systems, contributing to wider discussions about the Anthropocene and the need for sustainable approaches in urban planning. This art project not only documents a specific environmental threat, but also invites reflection on the role of art in promoting ecological awareness and inspiring action to preserve vital ecosystems, demonstrating the power of the intersection between art, science and environmental activism.
The project “Soundscape of the Tagus Estuary” is an immersive sound piece that explores the environmental impact of the potential construction of Montijo Airport in Portugal. Using 3D audio technology and Ambisonics, this piece creates a sensory experience that highlights the acoustic richness of the local ecosystem and warns of the threats to biodiversity, particularly migratory birds. Inspired by David Monacchi’s documentary “Fragments of Extinction”, the project aims to document and preserve the soundscape of the Tagus estuary in the face of the possible irreversible degradation of the ecosystem. The relevance of the work is underlined by recent scientific studies, such as the one published in the journal Animal Conservation, which indicates a potentially greater impact of airport noise on birdlife than initially predicted. The sound composition is structured in three distinct layers, using Sound Particles’ Skydust 3D plugin to create and manipulate sound elements. The top layer reproduces the sounds of planes and helicopters, representing the threat of urban development; the middle layer contains a synthesizer that serves as a sound bridge between natural tranquillity and human intrusion; the bottom layer incorporates sounds that represent the natural environment of the estuary. The piece, designed for playback on a 16-speaker system, creates a three-dimensional sound sphere that envelops the listener. The project contributes to the process of raising awareness about the ‘sixth mass extinction’, highlighting how sound art can influence conservation policies and raise public awareness of urgent environmental issues. By creating an immersive experience that contrasts the richness of local biodiversity with the potential impacts of urban development, the work invites reflection on the balance between progress and environmental preservation as well as the role of art in promoting ecological awareness and inspiring action to preserve vital ecosystems.