2024 torna residents

● Marlies van Hak

● Max Parnell ●

Isolating Movements, Measuring Atmospheres

Noise Pollution Investigation to be undertaken by Isolating Sound Agency into Torna Small, Kızılca, 34980 Şile, İstanbul, Turkey during the period of 03.08 - 17.08.2024

Şile Municipality, Istanbul

Unidentified noise pollution, first registered in February 2024, has over the last six months increased with levels now categorised as ‘severe’ throughout Şile Municipality, Istanbul. With several instances of sonic interference having disrupted residents, ecosystems and communication networks, neither the local council nor the authorities in Istanbul have located a clearly identifiable source. Türk Telekom has reported frequent disruptions to their networks, and multiple fishermen operating in and around the north of the Bosphorus have reported both radar failures and an unprecedented reduction in catches. Accounts from several fishermen suggested potential sonar interference as a cause for the partial disappearance of marine life during the previous six months, although none of these reports have been verified.

Above ground In Şile, multiple reports have contained references to sustained, drone-like sounds of a low frequency, which many reported being able to feel as well as hear. With local doctors having registered a notable spike in the number of patients exhibiting symptoms of nausea, increased stress levels and headaches, the Şile Municipal Council has advised residents to avoid being outside during peak hours of heat when such conditions can become exacerbated.

The case brought against Torna Small

During the period of 02.03 - 29.07.2024, the Şile Municipality Council registered 14 formal complaints made against Torna Small (previously Torna Gallery) located at Kızılca, 34980, Şile. Situated on the coast, reports pointed to the company’s use of lathe machines, citing these as one of the potential sources of noise pollution experienced in the surrounding area. Many reports also cited Torna’s history of noise pollution, noting that the company had been forced to leave their previous location in Istanbul on the same grounds, although these accusations were never verified.

Having already significantly reduced their operations in Şile, with the capacity of Torna Small’s workspace reduced by ⅚ from the previous model they operated in Istanbul between 2011-2017, company CEO Merve Kaptan, in agreement with Şile Municipality Council, has agreed to contract Isolating Sound Agency GmbH to undertake:

1.) a two-week extensive investigation into the premises of Torna Small, consisting of a series of audio readings (interior and exterior) of the building's architecture and equipment, together with decibel measurements in the surrounding areas.

2.) the construction and installation of a soundproofing unit for Torna Small, followed by an additional audio examination to demonstrate that their operations do not cause exterior noise pollution above the legal limit of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA).

In addition to their investigations at Torna Small, the Şile Municipal Council permits Isolating Sound Agency to undertake audio investigations throughout Şile, with right of passage being permitted to their designated investigator without the need for additional authorisation.

Following the two-week investigation, Isolating Sound Agency agrees to publish their findings by 17.08.2024, and to make available the full report by 15.10.2024 to the Şile Municipal Council. For further inquiries, please contact Isolating Sound Agency on reports.isa@gmx.com with the case number TS-03170824.

Isolating Sound Agency GmbH, Berlin
01.08.2024

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(www.maxparnell.com)

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Audio Investigation of Torna Small

In agreement with Torna Small and Şile Municipality, Isolating Sound Agency began with an investigation into the company’s work premises located at Kızılca, 34983, Şile, İstanbul. The investigation consisted of a comprehensive series of audio measurements taken both in the air (inside and outside the premises), as well as several readings of the pipe system, walls (interior and exterior), electricity controls, windows and floors.

Condensor mic (building's exterior)

Contact microphone — tiled floor (building's interior)

Mains Electricity (building's interior)

Overhead condenser mic (building's interior)

Plumbing System (building's interior)

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Sound Treatment Panels — Construction & Installation

Set of thirty custom built sound absorption panels built for Torna Small, installed in the gallery following a quality control check for each individual panel.

Built from local materials, ISA has utilised Şile fabric to seal each individual panel. Porous by nature, yet rugged enough to withstand being stretched, the locally-produced 100% cotton cloth (from which the municipality takes its name) presents itself as the ideal material with which to seal the sound absorption blocks. The traditional process involves taking the cloth and submerging it in the Black Sea, allowing it to circulate within the waters in such a way that it draws in the salt. Only once it has been sufficiently soaked is it pulled from the water and dragged onto the sand where it sits to dry in natural light. This treatment strengthens the cloth in such a way that it becomes resistant to the elements, increasing its longevity.

Due to the severe skin rashes our investigator suffered during the process of soaking the first rolls of cloth in the Black Sea, ISA and Torna agreed that the remaining pieces would be soaked in a local saltwater swimming pool, ensuring the fabric underwent the necessary strengthening process. Later investigations confirmed similar cases of skin irritation among locals, along with the potential cause: a corrupted sewage pipe leaking into the Black Sea in the region’s vicinity.

Prior to the installation, ISA mounted a condenser microphone outside the gallery which was used to measure the building’s external noise levels before and after the installation. The following two samples, recorded from the same position without any manipulation of the input levels, demonstrate the perceptible reduction in noise of the lathe machines as experienced outside of the company’s premises. Further details and audio reports will be published in the coming months.

Torna Small Exterior Recording During Lathe Operations Without Sound Panels

Torna Small Exterior Recording During Lathe Operations With Sound Panels

Torna Small Exterior Recording During Lathe Operations With and Without Sound Panels

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Landscape Investigations

In conjunction with ISA’s work at Torna Small, our investigations into the cause(s) of noise pollution throughout the Şile Municipality as reported during the past six months has pointed to multiple potential sources. As investigations are still in process, and in agreement with the local municipality, no reports will be published until all cases have undergone extensive internal review.

What ISA can confirm from previous reports is the presence of severe radio interference along the coastline, along with the presence of unidentified booms in different locations and depths along Şile’s coastline. Following extensive examinations both on and offshore, ISA confirms that our hydrophones registered the presence of unnatural sonar activity, corroborating previous reports from several fishermen.

Above ground, ISA confirms the veracity of previous reports noting the presence of unidentified, low-frequency drone noises (not exceeding 100 Hz). Such noise is most notable at higher points throughout the municipality, and following reports from our investigator, is capable of inducing mild nausea and vertigo, also corroborating previous reports from various medical centres throughout the Şile Municipality.

The following audio samples offer examples of noise pollution documented by ISA during the two-week investigation, in particular the presence of a singular repeated echo (source yet to be identified).

Unidentified noises—isolated sound references:

Isolated Unidentified Noise 1

Isolated Unidentified Noise 2

Documentation of this noise, occurring at intervals of roughly 10 seconds at a series of different locations:

Possible sonar interference, registered below water along the Black Coast shoreline (depth 2-5 metres) and offshore from a small vessel (5-15 metres).