In October I took part in a two day workshop with an incredibly group of makers, roboteers, scientists, climate change activists and data miners. We were all taking part in a hack to look at the creative potential of Sustainability Data.
Let’s be honest and call a square a square: Sustainability Data sounds dull. It actually beautifully resonant, relevant and revealing of the impact we each individually and collectively have. But it sounds terrifyingly worthy, dry and turgid. However, we all use data in one form or another throughout our work- from qualitative feedback, to new sensor platforms, to accessing API’s but in each instance it is a tool, that in combination with other creative crafts, enables us to explore the questions that drive us- whether that’s to interrogate an idea, change people’s perspectives of it, or reflect it in a different way.
Julies Bicycle’s understand these contradictions, and their data lab at the Pervasive Media Studio was consequentially an absolute joy to participate in. Gathering such a diverse group of collaborators together from statisticians, coders, visuals artists, architects and robotics experts (to name but a few) always bring forth the most unexpected consequences such as my groups “Devil’s Advocate” question for all our ideas: “Will it end up in a landfill?”. For me, this was a great example of how tangible data is shifting our social acceptances. To create work that was exploring sustainability data we wanted to make sure it didn’t become part of the problem.
Through the opportunity to work with Julies Bicycle and wider climate aware activists we developed a project that was about making the invisible visible: Air pollution is almost impossible to see, and as a consequence the general public have very little understanding of the current dangers facing us globally across both climate change and health risks. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are reaching a critical point, but CO2 and other dangerous compounds including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) are almost totally invisible.
The project pulls together real time data about air pollution levels across the city, creating a visible, living grove of monitors.
Roundabouts, verges and derelict land, will be planted with a range of UK bio-diverse plants, with embedded UV LED lights and air pollution sensors hidden amongst the planting. Mimicking the traffic light warning system already widely used for air pollution levels the lighting embedded around the planting will change colour depending on the air pollution levels:
• Green lights = acceptable air quality
• Amber lighting = low level pollution
• Red lighting = moderate pollution
• UV lighting = dangerous pollution levels.
When the air pollution levels exceed EU health-based targets the UV lights turn on. The emitted UVA light reflects off the plants revealing hidden patterns and natural fluorescence, turning the otherwise familiar flora into a post-apocalyptic landscape. A living sign warning the public of dangerous air pollution levels.
This project is change in action: The act of re-colonising the city with biodiversity helps to combat air pollution levels. It also celebrates the incredible properties of plants: A large range of flora and fauna have aspects of their colouring that are invisible to the human eye. All birds, and many animals can see the UV light spectrum, and many plants use these UV-spectrum colours to attract pollinators and prey. Plants from carnivorous Pitcher Plants, Dandelions, Sunflowers, Violets, lichens and Silver Birches all look dramatically different under UV light, which will be revealed in our post apocalyptic landscapes.
Two days: that level of interrogation, ideas generation and relevance was generated in two working days. That’s what happens when data is given to members of our communities who are already aware change is a-coming but whom thrive on creatively reframing ideas. That’s what happens when diverse practitioners are given the opportunity to explore and create rather than jump through funding hoops. That’s what happens when we work together.
And if you’d like some more humour: Have a look at this beautiful film showing al the projects created (and me appearing to demonstrate Kylie Minogue hand dancing).