Exhibition - Energy Gallery
We continue to design massive hydroelectric and petroleum projects with regional and even global economic, social, and environmental impact, building machines on a scale the world has never seen. More importantly, initiatives for sustainable energy - wind, geothermal, and especially solar - promise to fundamentally restructure the energy system itself, from a centrally based system to a distributed network of energy production and consumption.
The Energy galleries consider the potential of solar energy to power a distributed and equitable global system of energy production and use.
The first energy gallery (pictured above) is completely dark with the only light coming from a scintillating wall-sized video projection of the sun compiled from NASA data and from four blue LED flashlights suspended from the ceiling on long cords. By taking up a flashlight and exploring the walls, the visitor can read bold statements set in black reflective typography which turns white when struck by light:
In one hour the sun gives the earth more energy than is used annually by our global population.
Two billion people live without the benefits of electricity / access to energy = access to information
Distributed energy production = economic and political autonomy / peace is possible where sovereignty exists.
The second Energy gallery is full of objects that turn our abundant solar income into usable forms of energy. The visitor first sees this room by looking through view-tubes from the “dark” energy gallery. Highlighting the energy designs themselves, this gallery features hand-painted and flowing wall typography describing the far-reaching impacts of energy technology: A solar panel in remote and regions does not simply bring electricity… it brings light to read by, access to education and the internet, power to refrigerate medicine and vaccinations and power for irrigation systems.
This gallery also features a large fluorescent map of the world demonstrating that some of the poorest regions of the world receive the highest quality solar income. This energy could be used to support cultural and economic development.
Audio Commentary by:
Bruce Mau
Doug Chapman (IwB 2004) - 1
Doug Chapman - 2
Doug Chapman - 3
Explore the Exhibition:
Exhibition Introduction
Urbanization
Movement
Information
The Image
Markets
Energy
Materials
Military
Manufacturing
Living
Wealth & Politics
