Sound pollution at Lückstr.

Synopsis:

[freq:res] studies 01 – Sound Pollution at Lückstraße investigates the relentless sonic environment of a narrow urban street in Germany, experienced through the daily barrage of emergency sirens. Over a continuous week-long field recording, the project captures the invasive intensity, temporal patterns, and rhythms of sirens as they permeate the living space of a third-floor apartment overlooking the street. By transforming this raw acoustic data into dynamic visual forms, the work reflects on how persistent urban soundscapes influence human perception, concentration, and wellbeing.

Project Description:

Residing along Lückstraße for nine years, I have encountered persistent, intrusive siren noise amplified by the street’s narrow architecture. Recent hearing challenges identified by a medical professional add urgency to this investigation, emphasizing the intersection of environmental sound pollution and personal experience.

The project is grounded in data-driven research: a full-spectrum audio field recording was captured continuously over one week, with a focus on emergency sirens. Using advanced audio analysis, siren events are identified through their characteristic frequency modulation and amplitude patterns (500–2000 Hz). This data—detailing timing, intensity, and acoustic variation—forms the foundation for an audiovisual translation, visualizing the otherwise imperceptible temporal structures of urban noise.

By combining research, creative interpretation, and personal narrative, Sound Pollution at Lückstraße situates itself at the intersection of sound art, environmental awareness, and experiential investigation, exposing the overlooked consequences of urban soundscapes on human health and perception.

Status:

The project is currently in development, with ongoing refinement of its audiovisual translation methods and conceptual framing.