AIRPLAY was the first public presentation of Sabine Kacunko´s ∆NIM∆ ΔPP (https://anima-web.de). It enables an experimental handling of the exchange of global, local and individual air flows. On the one hand, it is based on current data from various research institutions (including the Federal Environment Agency), on the other hand, it is dependent on individual use: An extended color spectrum of 233 colors (a number from the infinite sequence of Φ and the Fibonacci number sequence based on it) enables refined interaction and Interpretation of current and archived inputs. The ∆NIM∆ ∆PP aims to generate new awareness, knowledge and action to support global efforts to limit the human-caused impacts of climate change. With the ∆NIM∆ ∆PP, a participatory collection on environmental changes caused by humans is being created, which aims to go beyond the current forms of participation in museums and research institutions. As a result, concepts such as “Citizen Science” and “Planetary Health” will be further developed in public space as CITIZEN ΔRT & SCIENCE.
At sunset on September 23rd (7.03 pm) 2022, the Pleasure Garden (Lustgarten) on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island in Berlin was the location and venue for interactive laser performance by Sabine Kacunko. In its focus stands the artistic exploration of the local air quality index (AQI) and individual human breathing and their interaction.
∆IRPL∆Y was initially a powerful 600-watt laser beam that shoots vertically into the stratosphere. Its color indicates the currently measured air quality on site. The users on site can change the laser color by using an app by exhaling the inhaled air into their smartphones. ∆IRPL∆Y makes it possible to directly experience the interaction of breathing and air movement. The vital function of inhaling and exhaling thus creates a fundamental connection between breathing beings and their planet. ∆IRPL∆Y is playfully transformed into a vivid model of an expanded environmental awareness. The current color of the laser beam indicated the local air quality, while the ∆NIM∆ ΔPP users on site could change this color again and again by using the breathing values they have measured themselves – this “∆IRPL∆Y“ makes the laser beam rhythmically shining on. With this interplay of individual breath and local air quality, ∆IRPL∆Y signalled “virtual breathing” and symbolized a “collective lung machine” (cf. Sabine Kacunko´s piece HYBRID BREATHING, 2022) coupled to the concrete measurement data. The reflexive and vital functions of inhaling and exhaling thus created a fundamental connection between breathing beings and their planet.
TIME AND PLACE
On September 23, day and night are of equal length: the autumn equinox is a reminder that the alternation of day and night is the most important clock in life. The sequence of light and dark controls the rhythm of our planet. Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23rd, 2022) was celebrated around the world as Educational Technology Day, Temperature Control Day, but also as Native American Day, Bisexuality Day, and more. All of today’s actions and demonstrations – not least here in Berlin – are primarily about regaining balance – between humans and nature, nature and culture, inside and outside, male and female, day and night, darkness and light. The Museum Island Berlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 23 years and the Pleasure Garden (Lustgarten) is its largest open and public green space. At sunset, a gigantic laser beam rised vertically from its center into the sky: Sabine Kacunko’s art project aimed to get to the heart of the interaction between human and nature – breathing and the air become symbols of the vital dynamics of the world and a model of an expanded environmental awareness.
ORBITAL MEDIA SCULPTURE
The 600-watt strong interactive laser projection represented the locally and individually measured air quality and breathing air and thus becomes the carrier of an orbitally oriented, collective message of humanity to itself: The “I” of the local input – the light beam – stretches for kilometers up into the stratosphere and it “nudges” the spherical “O” of the orbital output – the Earth – creating a virtual Φ (Phi). Φ is the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet, considered the “perfect” description of the principles of growth and dynamism in nature. It has always been viewed by artists and scientists as a “measurable value” that yields both beauty and efficiency. The 233 colors of the color spectrum used by the artist is a number from the infinite sequence of Φ and the Fibonacci number sequence based on it.
CITIZEN ΔRT & SCIENCE
With ∆IRPL∆Y, like with other artistic actions coupled with the ∆NIM∆ ∆PP, a participatory collection on environmental changes caused by humans is being created, which aims to go beyond the current forms of participation in museums and research institutions. As a result, concepts such as “Citizen Science” and “Planetary Health” will be further developed in public space as CITIZEN ΔRT & SCIENCE.
As a step in the ∆NIM∆ project, ∆IRPL∆Y addresses the aspired “healing” aspects of our (non-)doing by pointing to the interconnectedness of all “living” or “animated” beings that are ultimately relevant to human as well as “planetary” health. In perspective, ∆IRPL∆Y points to a F∆IRPL∆Y.
PROJECT P∆RTNERS
LaserAnimation Sollinger GmbH
betteries AMPS GmbH
German Environment Agency
Global Carbon Atlas-platform
Air Quality Open Data Platform
Micro Human
International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD2022)
City of Berlin
