Pollution Pods: Step into the world’s air quality this October in Perth

Event details

A globally acclaimed art installation that has sparked conversation in cities around the world is coming to Perth this October.

Presented by RAC, British artist Michael Pinsky's Pollution Pods will be on display at Elizabeth Quay, allowing visitors to experience increasing levels of air pollution and the air quality challenges faced by communities in five international locations every day. 

After captivating audiences in New York, Madrid, London, Melbourne, Switzerland and Norway, the installation will make its Perth debut, inviting Western Australians to see, smell and experience the dramatic differences in air quality found around the globe. 

A powerful journey through five environments 

The Pollution Pods are made up of a series of interconnected domes that recreate the climate, visibility and even the smell of five locations: London, New Delhi, São Paulo, Beijing and Tautra, a remote peninsula in Norway. 

As visitors move between the pods, they'll safely experience dramatic changes in air quality, travelling from the crisp, fresh atmosphere of Norway to the haze and pollution associated with some of the world's busiest cities. 

The installation combines science, art and technology to create a memorable sensory experience that encourages people to think about the air they breathe every day. 

Artist Michael Pinsky says the project is designed to make an invisible issue impossible to ignore.  

"Pollution is invisible, but its effects are not. Pollution Pods makes people experience air pollution rather than simply hearing about it." 

Why RAC is bringing the Pods to Perth 

RAC is hosting the installation to start conversations about air quality and help Western Australians better understand the impact transport emissions can have on our health and environment.  

While Perth generally enjoys good air quality, vehicle emissions remain one of the city's biggest challenges, making it more important than ever to protect the air we breathe. RAC hopes the experience will encourage people to consider how small changes to their daily travel habits can collectively make a difference. 

Discover your own commuting footprint 

After touring the installation, visitors can use RAC's purpose-built Emissions Calculator to estimate the emissions generated by their daily commute. 

The interactive tool is designed to help people understand the environmental impact of their travel choices and identify practical ways to reduce their emissions. 

This initiative builds on RAC's broader commitment to creating a safer, more sustainable and better-connected Western Australia. It also complements the RAC Air Health Monitor, which has been tracking Perth's air quality for the past four years. 

Whether you're interested in art, science, sustainability or simply looking for a unique family outing, Pollution Pods promises a thought-provoking experience that may change the way you think about the air around you.