Hello Weather
Andrea Polli, Chuck Varga, Heidi Neilson, Natalie Campbell, Younji Choi
Hello Weather establishes professional weather stations at arts centres and other public spaces. There are currently two in operation in New York City. The stations are wireless and solar powered and transmit data to an indoor receiver. Data from the stations is both sent to various online weather and climate data aggregators which then contribute to local, national and global climate models and saved locally for archiving and use in art projects.
Creative contribution
What was the significant innovation in approach or thinking behind the project/artwork? How can this be recognisably attributed to the involvement of creative practice?
The project uses creative art and technology as a catalyst to public conversations and actions related to the environment and climate change. Its invites individuals who would not normally have access to weather data to participate in its collection.
"The station becomes a site for public activities like artist/scientist presentations and workshops. Discussions are encouraged both online and in person. The involvement of an artist who exists outside of the field of specialization, provides a point of access for other individuals who may also be less familiar with the areas of scientific specialization." Andrea Polli (written response to this survey)
Collaboration
What were the disciplinary contributors to the project? What model of research / development was followed? What were factors leading to success / problems?
Andrea Polli is a digital media artist living in New York City. Her projects often bring together artists and scientists from various disciplines. She is interested in global systems, the real time interconnectivity of these systems, and the effect of these systems on individuals.
Current collaborators; Andrea Polli, Chuck Varga, Heidi Neilson, Natalie Campbell, Younji Choi
Produced at Eyebeam and exhibited at the SP weather station and the Queens Museum of Art
With Weather Underground, Anything Weather and the Citizen Weather Project/US National Weather Service
Participation from local weather enthusiasts in seen as essential.
The project’s research and development is ongoing, starting with temporary exhibition at University of Colorado Boulder with input from scientists at The National Center for Atmospheric Research and CIRES. Some R&D with EPA scientists.
Values
What were the outcomes of the project?
How were these disseminated to outside stakeholders?
What models of value are implied by this project?
What was the Impact of the work?
The project is ongoing. There is currently a weather station installed at the Eyebeam Art and Technology centre and one at the Queens Museum of Art. The stations are currently supplying data for several volunteer weather observer projects: Weather Underground, Anything Weather and The Cooperative Weather Observer Programme. This data is used in local and national government and commercial forecasts. The Hello Weather blog (http://www.andreapolli.com/hello_weather/) provides a platform for users to share their extreme weather stories.
Approximately 150 people visited the site at The University of Colorado, and over 500 have seen the Eyebeam site. 3 private events with scientists and approx 20 attendees each were held at Eyebeam, and 3 public events at both Eyebeam including an extreme weather snowglobe workshop for all ages with over 100 participants, a radio broadcast as part of the Whitney Biennial, and a block party including a weather balloon launch. The QMA station is not yet open to the public. Photographs of the events are available online and a short video documentation is being developed.
