Leavings is an interactive installation using rubbish collected from the local area. This will be repurposed into a sculpture which will reside in front of my house in Loughborough.
Project aims
The aims of this installation are to create an immersive & meditative environment that is accessible, fun and inspiring; whilst also challenging the neighbourhood and the wider community to consider the environmental impact that we are having on the planet.
This installation responds to human interaction. A proximity sensor will be mounted on a board at the front of my home which will trigger audio samples. These sounds are produced from recordings of the litter being cut, compressed, dropped, or manipulated. The intention is to emulate sounds found in nature - from the gentle blowing of the wind through the leaves to the song of a morning bird. These soundscapes will also have binaural properties, and thus serve as gentle mediations, which are enjoyed alongside a corresponding colour to match the mood.
These photos are a work in progress from my studio and represent phase one of the project. The final install will take place on Burton Street in Loughborough and grow organically across the whole month of July 2021.
BBC Radio Leicester interview 28.06.2021
Background
I spent parts of lockdown like many others walking around my local area and in the country. I am very fortunate to live around the Charnwood Forest, however I found myself facilitating litter picks in the area during lockdown as some areas, particularly unmanaged wild woods and permissive paths saw a sharp rise in traffic. This resulted in an increase in rubbish and fly tipping without an access team to help clear it up.
The installation will attempt to raise awareness to the issues that we have faced both culturally and environmentally. Culturally, unlike other countries it feels like we are not as proactive at teaching future generations the correct outdoor etiquette from a young age.
Environmentally - we are also guilty of creating and disposing of too much rubbish. I hope that an installation built out of waste will raise awareness to the unsustainable way that we are collectively agreeing to live on this planet.
To repurpose it effectively, the collected rubbish is being cleaned and pressed into shapes found in nature, such as leaves. These will be installed onto the front of my house and in a large bare tree which is clearly visible to the entire street.
Sensors which are mounted on a board to the railing at the very front of my home will be available to the public to use throughout the duration of the exhibit. This board will also serve to offer instructions and more info about the project. Interacting with the sensor will trigger the sounds as described above.
I am actively encouraging the local neighbourhood to get involved & create their own interpretation of the project, using flattened litter to decorate their front spaces.
Project Retrospective
Looking back at the project now it is over, Leavings delved into two important issues:
A Cultural Disconnect: We seem to fall short compared to other countries in fostering respect for the environment and proper outdoor etiquette among younger generations.
Unsustainable Waste Management: Our addiction to convenience often translates to excessive waste generation and irresponsible disposal.
The Installation:
Leavings unfolded in real time like a living sculpture and the organic growth throughout the project surprised me. Vines constructed from salvaged materials and transformed litter subtly wove around the house, trees, and railings. Beyond being decorative, they offered interactive elements:
Sensory Vines: Salvaged wire embedded within the vines conducted light and sound, responding to hovering hands with a subtle flicker or a whisper of nature.
A Recycled Soundtrack: Ambient soundscapes, composed from the waste materials themselves, evoked the calming melody of a gentle breeze, bird calls, and crickets. This juxtaposition of nature's symphony with the "instruments" of human neglect gently reconnected us with the natural world we so often take for granted.
Litter Soundscape - Sensor #1
Leavings Soundscape - Sensor #3
Leavings Soundscape - Sensor #4
Leavings Soundscape - Sensor #5
Leavings Soundscape - Sensor #6
Leavings Soundscape - Sensor #7
Waste as a Mirror
The very essence of Leavings, the repurposed waste, serves as a stark reminder of the sheer volume we generate, both locally and globally.exclamation It compels us to confront these questions:
How can we improve waste management systems in our towns and cities?
Are there ways to reduce packaging and promote sustainable alternatives?
Can we all become more responsible recyclers?
Woven into the Community
Leavings was more than just an art installation, it's was a bridge between artist and community.
Children of all ages participated in creating the litter vines, fostering a sense of ownership and sparking conversations about digital art, the internet of things, and environmental responsibility.
Public tours and talks facilitated open dialogues about litter, waste management, and the interconnectedness of our world. The interactive nature of the installation led to unexpected and enriching encounters with people from all walks of life.
Looking Forward
Leavings is just the beginning. The project also aspires to:
Grow in Scale: Future iterations envision an even larger and more impactful installation.
Amplify Environmental Awareness: Leavings aims to raise the bar on environmental consciousness, inspiring individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices.
Empower Young Minds: The project hopes to continue fostering a love for art and environmental responsibility among younger generations.
Immerse Through Technology: Advanced scanning and spatial audio technologies can be harnessed to create even more immersive audiovisual experiences that further blur the lines between art, nature, and technology.
By holding a mirror to our wasteful ways, Leavings hopes to inspire a collective shift towards a future where we respect and nurture our environment, one step, one repurposed piece of waste at a time.
Press
Loughborough Echo - page 3: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/loughborough-echo/20210804/283021172721241
Loughborough Echo - Front Page: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/loughborough-echo/20210804/page/1
Photography
With thanks to Jo McLeish - The Media Room
Artist Development - Vehicle Arts
