Submerge explores Glasgow’s once treasured and now forgotten streams (burns). A network of waterways weave through the city like veins. Over time, many of these burns have been routed underground through concrete pipes, culverted out of sight, fenced off, and hidden from view.
Submerge seeks to map these waterways through sound using recordings made with underwater microphones (hydrophones) to capture the unusual submerged soundworld of the city. By making audible these underwater sounds, and mapping the routes of the burns, Submerge aims to present the city from a different perspective.
During June 2015, a series of open workshops took place to find and trace the burns of Glasgow, record underwater sounds, and to perform scientific tests to analyse water samples from different parts of the city.
The sound recordings and the scientific analysis of the water form the basis of an interactive sound map of Glasgow. The map can be drawn on to reveal and conceal underwater sounds, and present the scientific results gathered from the water analysis.
Sound recording walks were lead by artist, Kathy Hinde with OPAL Water surveys lead by community scientist Jo Dempster. Further scientific analysis of water samples was carried out by Glasgow Scientific Services.
Submerge installation is created by Kathy Hinde in collaboration with software programmer Matthew Olden. The installation premieres at The Lighthouse, Glasgow as part of Sonica festival 2016. It is open from 10am to 5pm Thursday to Saturday from Thursday 29th October 2015 until Saturday 9th January 2016.
Thanks to Jo Dempster from OPAL, Duncan Scott at Glasgow Scientific Services, Ben Spencer at Velocity Glasgow, Susie Mitchell at Glasgow Science Centre, Cryptic, and all the workshop participants.
A Cryptic commission for Sonica, produced in partnership with Glasgow Year of Green 2015, VELOCITY, OPAL and Glasgow City of Science and the Lighthouse.
