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.

During June 2015, Kathy invited people to join her on a series walks to find and trace the burns of Glasgow, record underwater sounds unique to the city, and perform scientific tests to analyse water samples from different locations.

A Cryptic commission for Sonica 2015, produced in partnership with Glasgow Year of Green 2015, VELOCITY, OPAL and Glasgow City of Science and the Lighthouse.

The sounds and data gathered was brought together into an interactive installation shown at the Rennie Mackintosh water tower at the Lighthouse centre for architecture and design for Sonica festival in Autumn 2015. The installation invites people to draw into a thin layer of water illuminated with a projected map of Glasgow. The drawing interaction starts to reveal underwater sound recordings made from the locations on the map. It become possible to experience the city from a new perspective via an ever changing underwater soundscape. The installation also highlights the watery pathways of Glasgow and reveals the variation of the waters properties.

Extract of audio recordings from the soundmap

Installation photos below by Alex Woodward

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 was created by Kathy Hinde in collaboration with software programmer Matthew Olden. The installation was premiered at The Lighthouse, Glasgow as part of Sonica festival 2015.

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.

Header photo by Robert McFadzean, Photo of installation by Alex Woodward.