“The Sound of the Elbe – Noisy under water”
Nicole Schuck
“The Sound of the Elbe – Noisy under water”
A permanent artistic and scientific installation in the River Elbe with a global audiovisual digital network.
“The Sound of the Elbe – Noisy under water” is a collaborative project between visual artist Nicole Schuck, the Lauenburg Artists’ House and Prof. Dr Philipp Fischer of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) / Helmholtz Centre, focusing on acoustic pollution in the Elbe near Lauenburg. Further partners in the project are Hitzler Werft and the town of Lauenburg.
“The Sound of the Elbe – Noisy under water” is a permanent artistic-scientific installation in the Elbe: a hydrophone (underwater microphone) continuously records underwater sounds over many years; the acoustic impulses are simultaneously translated into a digital continuous drawing using drawn structures; a webcam films the water’s surface; a website linked to an open-source database enables global access; a floating steel object on the water’s surface attracts attention, and an information board on the bank provides details about the project.
With this multi-part project, we draw attention to the often-overlooked underwater fauna of the Elbe, which eludes our direct perception and suffers from man-made noise. To date, there have been no long-term studies in inland waters – this is where we come in. The installation enables the first study of its kind in Germany. The data will be of use to researchers, artists and the general public. By combining artistic and scientific means and methods that focus attention on this habitat and its inhabitants, we open up space not only for imagination but also for new insights. In the long term, this will enable the development of conservation strategies for aquatic life in the Elbe, promote biodiversity and improve water quality – all of which are, in turn, vital for human survival.
The foundations for this project were laid in 2025 during a conceptual phase. Implementation is planned for 2026.
“Die Tönung der Elbe – Geräuschvolles unter Wasser” is funded by:
Ministerium für Allgemeine und Berufliche Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, Raiffeisenbank Lauenburg; BINGO! Umweltlotterie Schleswig-Holstein, as well as in-kind donations and private donations.
The project receives voluntary support from: Dr Hajo Krasemann and Thorsten Pollfuss
Nevertheless, we are still looking for further sponsors and welcome any donations. Donate via Paypal to: info@kuenstlerhaus-lauenburg.de or transfer to:
Künstlerhaus Lauenburg/Elbe e.V.
Raiffeisenbank Lauenburg
IBAN DE12 2306 3129 0000 2818 67
BIC GENODEF1RLB
Thank you very much for your support!
