Up to the present day, plastic waste has become a pervasive and destructive force in our environment, directly contributing to the ongoing climate crisis—a form of conflict between human progress and the natural world. While natural causes contribute to climate change, the rapid acceleration of its effects is largely due to human actions, particularly since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s when industrialization and mass production began to flourish.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), plastic production has emerged as a leading source of environmental degradation. Many plastic products are single-use, contributing to the staggering amount of waste that accumulates annually. Between the 1950s and 1970s, plastic output was relatively manageable, but since then, the volume of waste has exponentially increased. An estimated 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year, with 75 to 199 million tonnes ending up in the oceans, according to Recycle Track Systems (RTP). This pollution represents an ongoing conflict between humanity's consumer habits and the health of our planet.

“School of ...” is a sound installation that responds to this environmental conflict. Exhibited as part of the concert "Reimagining the Present - UPCYCLE MUSIC Inspired by Plastic Bottles and the Beautiful Sea," curated by Komsun Dilokkunanant and featuring compositions by the curator and Richard Bissill, this installation was presented during the Princess Galyani Vadhana International Music Festival 2024. The installation aims to raise awareness of the environmental conflicts exacerbated by plastic pollution by interpreting the ocean's soundscape through the use of discarded plastic bottles.

This project demonstrates alternative ways to create sound from waste materials, integrating kinetic mechanisms and physical motion. In doing so, it not only produces a unique auditory experience but also projects a powerful message about the ongoing conflict between humanity and the environment. The sound of ocean waves and marine life resonating through plastic bottles serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the environmental crises caused by human actions.

This paper outlines the creation of the "School of ..." installation, detailing the kinetic wave system, the process of making sound and visuals, and the interpretation of oceanic sounds and marine life that resonate through repurposed plastic waste. This installation stands as a metaphor for the conflict between human consumption and the natural world, offering both a critique of environmental degradation and a call to action.