Waves
by Paul Simon
On December 18, 2021, the sound installation “waves” took place on the northwestern tip of Paljassaare, Tallinn. It deals with the ocean and the fear of the impending climate catastrophe. Since it is unlikely that climate change will be stopped soon, it is possible to experience the installation again and again. Therefore, I have created a comprehensive 6-step guide on how to authentically set up and engage with the installation. Enjoy!
The sound installation deals with different perceptions of the ocean. Therefore, find a place close to the ocean. Ideally, choose an old military building constructed during the Cold War and threatened by rising sea levels, just like the original site of the installation (59°28'38.9"N 24°41'25.9"E). If no such place exists in your area, don’t worry, any abandoned structure will do as a location.
Arrive at the site at night time. To create a rave-like atmosphere, you can put up some posters. I have uploaded the original posters for you to print at home. Get your free copy here! However, this is not mandatory, as it’s dark and people won’t see them anyways.
Set up your sound system. It is crucial to have stereo sound. Furthermore, your sound system should be capable of playing loud music (>100dB) and have decent subwoofers. The original installation used two compact speakers with 5cm tweeters (cone type) and 13cm woofers, this should be the minimum. Both need to be wrapped in a black plastic bag. The original speakers had a red case and built-in disco lights that automatically matched the beat. The latter features, however, are not indispensable for the installation. Place the speakers at a distance of 10 meters. Let them face each other to create an immersive soundscape in between.
Since this is a personal journey that takes place in utter darkness, you are free to engage with the sound installation on your own. Nevertheless, I recommend doing it in a group. I had good experiences with young adults who critically engage with urban processes in their readings and writings. Their understanding of the topic led to fruitful discussions after experiencing the sound piece (see step 6). Make sure, however, that the audience is uncritical enough in practice so they don’t mind getting drunk and dancing to loud music in old military structures situated in a nature reservoir.
The sound installation does not necessarily need any additional explanations. Yet, to gain a deeper understanding of the motifs, I recommend learning more about the subject beforehand. To make this as convenient as possible for you, here are some contextualising notes that give just enough information to stay mysterious and interesting.
“Paljassaare is a child of the ocean. About one thousand years ago, the two islands of Suur- and Väike-Paljassaare started to rise from the water. Thereafter, the effects of the post-glacial rebound caused the land to grow steadily. About one hundred years ago, we filled the gap between the islands and the mainland with soil and the land masses became one. Ever since, the interactions between land and water have shaped life on the peninsula. Fishermen gathered animals from the ocean to feed their families. Armies settled on Paljassaare to gain control over the ocean, and eventually turned it into a forbidden zone. Birds found a unique habitat created by the interplay of water and land.
It seems that we as humans are magnetically drawn to the ocean. We feel connected to its strength, its vastness, its peacefulness. Exclusive ‘waterfront developments’ in Paljassaare gain capital using our craving for closeness to water. Further away from the shore, we keep on exploiting the ocean for profit. Increasing global trade causes shipping traffic to grow every year. Destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling destroy the vulnerable ecosystem. Waste disposal, sewage and combustion dumping pollute the water. The heavy capitalization has led to a decrease in biodiversity, making the Baltic Ocean one of the most polluted marine areas in the world.
To grasp the interplay between emotional and economical understandings of the ocean, I recommend watching the following video, a visual collage that was created in the research process for the sound installation:
In Paljassaare, we can observe global developments on a local scale. Since we are incapable of agreeing to stop the destruction of our planet, global temperatures are gradually rising, and so are sea levels. Today the effects of the post-glacial rebound are already being reversed, and the water level is rising faster than the land. Numerous scientific papers prognose an increase in heavy storms, precipitation, flash floods, and coastal erosion in the future. Water temperatures will rise, leading to the decrease of several maritime species. The original installation was situated at the northwestern tip of the peninsula. If sea levels continue to rise, the area will turn back into an island - at first only during floods, but permanently over time.
How do we cope with this looming catastrophe? In the late 1980s, a collective coping mechanism played a role in forming a new culture. People reacted to the fear of an atomic apocalypse with hedonism: They brought sound systems into abandoned buildings and danced to ever-repeating rhythmic beats. The Angst of the Cold War led - amongst other reasons - to the birth of techno culture.
‘Waves’ was located in a former Soviet storage space, a built remnant of the aforementioned war. Thirty years later, it poses the question of coping with a catastrophe again. An interplay of sounds and words creates a journey that explores the different perceptions and realities of the Baltic Ocean. Without providing a definite answer, it is a personal, immersive journey in search of answers on how to come to terms with the future.”
If you prefer reading about the context on site, I have created a pdf for printing. Get your free copy here!
Now that everything is prepared, you can finally press the play button of the audio file. Try to connect your ears not only to your brain, but also to your heart. See what journey your feelings take you on.
You will listen to a 13 minute-long composition. In the beginning you will hear the calm sounds of the ocean. Shortly after, you will be able to listen to words that exemplify emotional, biological, technical and economic aspects of the ocean. Gradually, the piece transforms into a fast techno piece. In the background, you will hear the sounds of raging storms crashing waves. This combination is supposed to create a threatening atmosphere that allows you to grasp the catastrophe and explore how you might behave in such a situation. You are invited to close your eyes and move your body to the sound. In the original installation, some people danced, some smoked a cigarette, some just went away. After the rumbling techno-influenced catastrophe is over, you will hear a snippet of a catchy song called ‘Back to the island’ that softens the possibly grim atmosphere.
If you are not listening to the piece on your own, it can be beneficial to discuss what you experienced with fellow listeners. For inspiration, I have added a selection of comments that have been shared after the original installation.
Thank you for taking the time to prepare for the installation. I hope this guide was helpful and you now understand how to listen to it. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact me --> paul.simon@artun.ee
Sources
Arcgis.com. 2021 “Coastal Flood Risk Areas in Estonia”. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/60a057ed45cf481b920dda869c222b67
Couling, Nancy, and Carola Hein, eds. 2020. The Urbanisation of the Sea: From Concepts and Analysis to Design. Rotterdam, the Netherlands: nai010 Publishers.
Haas, Vaike. 2019. “Marks on the City: The Impacts of Coastline Emergence and Bombing on Tallinn’s Anachronistic Pockets.” Journal of Baltic Studies 50 (2): 205–32.
Harff, Jan, Kazimierz Furmańczyk, and Hans von Storch, eds. 2017. Coastline Changes of the Baltic Sea from South to East. Vol. 19. Coastal Research Library. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Kont, Are, Jaak Jaagus, Raivo Aunap, Urve Ratas, and Reimo Rivis. 2008. “Implications of Sea-Level Rise for Estonia.” Journal of Coastal Research 242 (March): 423–31.
