The Blue Paradox — Immersive Exhibition

Experiential music and sound design

Context
The Blue Paradox is an immersive exhibition exploring the global plastic waste crisis, developed in partnership with SC Johnson and Conservation International. Following a highly successful initial installation in London, the project evolved into a long-term, multi-year exhibition at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

The experience combines film, spatial design, interactive elements, and sound across multiple rooms to guide visitors through a complex and emotionally charged subject.

Role
Composer and Sound Designer — responsible for the musical and sonic language of the exhibition, spanning film, environments, and interactive elements.

Approach
I composed the original score for the opening film in Room One, establishing the emotional and thematic foundation for the experience. This musical language was then extended into bespoke music and sound design across the remaining rooms and connecting corridors, ensuring a cohesive sonic identity throughout the exhibition.

For Room Three’s interactive displays, I designed custom UI sound effects derived from the same core sonic motifs, allowing interaction sounds to feel integrated rather than layered on top of the experience.

The overall approach focused on clarity, restraint, and continuity — supporting the subject matter without overwhelming visitors.

Outcome
The exhibition has engaged large and diverse audiences and has now been established as a long-term installation, allowing ongoing public engagement with the themes of environmental impact, responsibility, and action.

Why It Matters
This project demonstrates how opening film music, environmental sound design, and interactive audio can work together to support complex storytelling, maintain emotional coherence across spaces, and create a considered, immersive audience experience.