Coming Up for Air in [LOCATION]
RNCM PRiSM Researchers Dr Bofan Ma and Dr Kathryn Williams partner with the award-winning Sustainable Smart Technologies Ltd. (formerly IoT Horizon Ltd.) to address critical effects of indoor air pollution through a multi-stranded art-research initiative.
The initiative is driven by a timely and crucial question:
What and who is changing our air today?
Coming Up for Air in [LOCATION] explores the intersections of music, technology, and environmental health, placing live indoor air quality (IAQ) data and musicians’ respiratory access needs at the core of a novel intermedia and public-engaging musical practice.
Specifically, the initiative incorporates data-driven sound-design, interactive installation, live performance, and community and educational outreach activities to raise public awareness of indoor air pollution – the world’s biggest health crisis today. According to the World Health Organization, there are 7 million premature deaths across the globe each year associated with the combined effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Phase One of the initiative was conducted in the Rossendale Valley (Lancashire / North Manchester).
It saw the duo draw on Sustainable Smart Technologies’ advanced smart indoor air quality sensors and their award-winning Neronis platform, as well as deliver a series of Key Stage 2 workshops at local primary schools.
The resultant Coming up for Air in Rossendale project was launched as one of the main event series of the Waterfoot Wakes Festival 2024, commissioned and hosted by the Horse + Bamboo Theatre.
Dr Bofan Ma (left) & Dr Kathryn Williams (right)
The site-responsive work features an orchestra of digital musical instruments being ‘played’ by live IAQ data (e.g. levels of humidity, CO2, temperature, total volatile organic compounds, particulate matters) read from within the theatre’s café and performance spaces.
This virtual orchestra underpins live sound-making activities resulting in and from IAQ fluctuations, and exhibition of artworks – created by over 60 local school children in Rossendale – addressing the importance of clean air and ventilation systems.
Knowledge Exchange meetings and workshops at both RNCM and Sustainable Smart Technologies’ headquarter in Rawtenstall, Rossendale.
Coming Up for Air in Rossendale at the Waterfoot Wakes Festival 2024
The duo is committed to taking this initiative to diverse locations across the UK and internationally, to conducting field studies in diverse indoor spaces that musicians negotiate on a day-to-day basis, and to initiating and engaging in continued discussions around IAQ, performing arts infrastructure, and any mandatory access riders for musicians with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
