Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre

Wet Waves is an informal radio and sound group at Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre (BOARC). This meeting on 18th & 19th April 2026 offers participants a programme to explore experimental sound practices together.

Leaning into Bidston Observatory’s history as a site for humans to measure their surroundings, Wet Waves wants to prompt considerations of how we might use sound to understand our natural environment and make new relationships to our ecology.

Starting on the afternoon of 18th and running into the afternoon of 19th April 2026, Wet Waves will host a short programme of workshops, walks and conversations which will engage with experimental audio practices, DIY radio and ad-hoc broadcasting.

Saturday April 18th
- Collective Lunch - 1pm
- Sound Walk and Field Recording - 3pm
- Free time / homework - 5pm
- Sound Manipulation - 6pm
- Dinner - 7pm
- DOMES FM Live Broadcast - 9pm
Sunday April 19th
- Brekkie - 10am
- Clean up - 12pm
- Discussion - 1pm then finish

Participants are welcome to stay on site from Friday 17th April to Sunday 19th April, though space is limited. No prior experience with sound or radio is required, though an interest is actively encouraged.

Prices for this event are at a sliding, three-tier scale, depending on your need.

For those who wish to join for one night, arriving on Saturday 18th and leaving on Sunday 19th, a ticket is priced at £75/£85. This includes 1 night accommodation, food for the duration and participation in the workshops.

For those who wish to attend the Saturday 18th April only, tickets are priced at £45/£55, including lunch & dinner and workshop participation.

If you need to, please email us with your booking to inquire about lower rates.

To book in, please contact wetwaves@causticsoda.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an artistic research centre?

In the arts, just like in the sciences, research is conducted in the process of making or experimenting. Practitioners take time, and focus attention on the way that they conduct their practice – however it fits into a discipline, or sits outside many. The process of doing research in the arts varies greatly, and there is no one methodology which applies to all. This artistic research centre is a space where people can come to explore different methods of working, have time for reflection, and get feedback from other practitioners.

What do you mean by self-organising?

The stewards are here to support the building and its resources. The building and its resources are here to support you and your work. While the project is all about trying to make things possible, stewards are already fully occupied with administration and practicalities and can not be expected to support the needs of your personal practice too.

Why is it only possible to stay for a minimum of two nights?

It’s not possible for people to stay for one night only, as this tends to take away from the community’s resources rather than add to it - not to mention the extra laundry costs!

Why is it only possible to stay for a maximum of one month?

In order for this resource to be shared by multiple different groups and individuals, stay is capped at one month. This keeps the space flowing and stops areas becoming territorialised unintentionally. As this is a study site, it is not possible to just live here, though we understand study takes many different forms and doesn’t always appear “productive”.

Why is there a sliding scale?

Many of the decisions we make here at BOARC focus on keeping this resource available for practitioners. The sliding scale helps us to offer a subsidised rate to people who would benefit.

Why is it important to read the values?

through the values carefully and make a decision for themselves about whether they feel aligned. It is not important to share all of these values exactly as they are written, but you should be aware that this is an actively anti-racist, anti-ableist, intersectional feminist site, and there are accountability guidelines in place here for users, stayers, stewards and organisers alike.[Link to values here]