The Voice of Soil: a 21st Century EP is an interactive sound installation that explores the environmental impacts of 21st century events through a multisensory experience of music and material. Each vinyl diorama represents soil from a different region and event, from deforestation in Brazil to urbanization in China, mining in Peru, war in Afghanistan, and fast fashion waste in Ghana. Built with a Raspberry Pi and embedded with RFID tags, the vinyls play when placed on a custom-built turntable, triggering data-driven soundscapes that reflect each soil’s condition.
“For the soil remembers, and one day, for better or for worse, it will remember also us.”
(Janzen, 2016)
are you ready to listen to the voice of soil?
The problem
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that the equivalent of 1 soccer field of earth erodes every 5 seconds… whereas it takes thousands of years to create just a few centimetres of topsoil. If we continue at a current trajectory, up to 90% of the Earth’s topsoil will be at risk by 2050. It may seem insignificant to some, “what’s it cost to lose a bit of soil”, however topsoil is packed with micronutrients and organisms that make up more than 25% of the planet’s biodiversity! These organisms drive food production, land restoration and water purification, the very systems that sustain not only the environment but us too!
Humanity’s deeply anthropocentric view, which places people at the centre of all things, has long treated the planet as a resource for endless growth and human flourishing, yet proves to be ultimately self-destructing. The 21st century has been filled with growing concerns around soil degradation and its broader impact on planetary and human health. As such, I chose to focus on a handful of these issues, including deforestation, urbanization, war, mining and fast fashion – all deeply human-centred and human-driven events that take a silent toll on soil health. The final soil vinyl is a representation of hope for our planet.
The Voice of Soil explores how we can sonify the earth’s responses to human-driven events, turning data and degradation into sound and emotion, giving soil a voice that speaks beyond numbers and into the human heart.
DEFORESTATION – BRAZIL
Deforestation is a large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure, which threatens both ecosystems and human livelihoods, with millions of people relying on forests globally. In the Amazon Rainforest, deforestation causes severe soil erosion, nutrient loss, and the release of stored soil carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change. Additionally, clearing land through illegal pesticide use further degrades soil fertility.
URBANIZATION – CHINA
Urbanization changes rural and natural landscapes into densely populated cities, driving economic growth but also leading to significant environmental impacts. The use of concrete and asphalt creates an Urban Heat Island Effect, raising soil temperatures, while industrial and vehicle pollution introduces heavy metals like cadmium and mercury into the soil.
FAST FASHION – GHANA
Fast fashion is a trend of rapid production and disposal, which has severe environmental impacts. Garments that end up in landfills leach toxins into the soil, and deforestation occurs to support the demand for cotton farming and textile production, depleting soil fertility through monocropping and pesticide use.
MINING – PERU
Mining, while still essential for energy and economic development, contaminates soil with toxic chemicals like mercury, arsenic, and sulfides. It disrupts soil structure, reduces fertility, and leaves behind infertile land. In regions like La Oroya, Peru, mining pollution has severely affected both ecosystems and human health.
WAR – AFGHANISTAN
War causes severe and lasting environmental damage, with explosions, fires, and heavy machinery eroding topsoil and contaminating land with toxic residues like lead and TNT. These pollutants reduce soil fertility and crop yields.
REGENERATION – POTENTIAL GLOBAL FUTURE
Now, imagine a world where soil is given a voice, not through a DXB311 design project but through a balanced coexistence built on respect, regeneration and empathy. A world where the roots of trees and the systems of cities grow side by side, entangled, supporting each other not for profit, but for shared flourishing. Soil and its ecosystems exist to thrive, not struggle; they exist for partnership not exploitation; they exist in balance not a cycle of careless damage and desperate repair. This vision is not a prediction, but a possibility. A reminder that a future of healthy soil, secure food, clean air and rich biodiversity begins with the smallest choices.
tangible design techniques
A number of tangible design and craft-based techniques were used to construct the soil vinyls. Each vinyl was hand-built using papier mache to form the landscape and then brought to life further with the use of paints, foam scraps, fabric cutoffs, fake plants, and recycled wood. The use of mixed media allowed for a more textured finish, evoking the layered and imperfect nature of soil and the world itself. The detailing helped capture the distinct feel of each environmental setting, from gravel mining sites to forests and water, emphasising the idea of material storytelling and sustainable making practices.
Sonifying soil health
To translate soil health data into sound, key soil health parameters were first researched and selected, then mapped to musical instruments based on the qualities they evoke. For example, soil carbon stock, which represents richness and fertility, was paired with bass, reflecting its grounding and deep nature. Each parameter was then ranked across the five 21st century events to determine how musical elements such as tempo, pitch, and intensity would correspond to varying soil conditions.
The music was composed and recorded in collaboration with a local artist and friend Isaak Jackson from the band Sugarlook. Together, the mapping between soil data and music was finalized and all pieces were recorded through a series of 5 recording sessions. While data informed the overall structure and mapping to soil parameters, creative interpretation guided choices such as chord selection to better capture the essence of each 21st century event. Isaak composed all music, whilst I helped to record all percussion and synth elements, having a go at composing a couple of the synth pieces as well.
soil vinyl covers
In order to better support the listening experience, data to music maps were created, enabling listeners to follow along and understand what health parameters they are hearing in what instruments. A radar graph was used to depict the intensity of the soil health parameter (e.g. a 5 for annual temperature increase means that the country representing this event had the highest increase in temperature). The map also shows the numerical music parameters being heard (e.g. pitch = E5) as well as a verbal, more poetic description to facilitate a better connection to this number (e.g. sharp violins pierce the air with intense heat). The radar graphs, as well as Copilot AI co-designed cover art were printed and placed on a real vinyl sleeve cover, to keep a thematic connection.
Technology
In order to simulate the experience of a real record player, RFID tags and scanner were used. When a soil vinyl is placed on the turntable, the RFID tags attached underneath get detected by the RFID scanner positioned beneath the turntable. The signal is sent and processed via a connected Raspberry Pi, which triggers a locally stored music file to play. This interaction creates an authentic, tactile experience, where the digital sensor technology is able to recreate a familiar action (although less so in the modern age) of playing a vinyl record.
sustainability
Almost every material used to construct the soil vinyls was sourced sustainably, either from existing craft supplies, second-hand stores like Reverse Garbage, or recycled scrap bins at university. These materials included wooden offcuts, wires, fabric scraps, straws, and foam pieces. The project was intentionally designed to minimize environmental impact by repurposing discarded materials, transforming waste into something purposeful and visually compelling. Additionally, the project was designed for disassembly, allowing each vinyl to be taken apart into its constituent components after the exhibition.
Elizaveta Zheltova
Elizaveta Zheltova is a graduating Interaction Design and Computer Science double degree student who is passionate about the intersection between design, technology and the environment. In the future, through interaction design, data visualization and installation art, Elizaveta seeks to make complex ecological issues tangible and emotionally resonant, inspiring more mindful and compassionate engagement with our planet.
