Freshwater flows across Exmoor; from open moorland, through wooded combes and down to rocky coast, the sounds of lotic ecosystems – moving inland waters – flood the landscape.

This immersive, digital artwork examines the movement of freshwater on Exmoor, at both micro (studio) and macro (landscape) scales. It combines science, sound and photography to reveal the physical processes that shape the flow of water.

Underwater sound recordings and water samples were taken along several of Exmoor’s major river systems. The sounds of trickling natural springs, burbling rocky streams and rushing, rain-swollen rivers were then used to manipulate the local water samples.

To accomplish this, a shallow dish of water is placed on top of a speaker cone and lit from above. The sound recordings are then played through an amplifier, which creates vibrations on the liquid’s surface. These ‘cymatics’ experiments essentially make sound waves visible and the oscillating wave forms reveal distinct geometric patterns whenever a resonant frequency is reached.

The fundamental principles of fluid dynamics remain the same regardless of scale, so what can be modelled in the studio or laboratory, can also be observed in nature. This concept of universality can also be applied to other natural cycles and relationships between living organisms; perhaps proving that all elements of an ecosystem – from water to human – are entwined.

This work was created during an artist residency, which was made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England and was part of the Ignite Somerset programme of work delivered by Somerset Film as part of their role as a National Portfolio Organisation.