The Weather Project
Olafur Eliasson, Susan May, (Curator atTate Modern), Maeve Polkinhorn, (Project Assistant.)
The Weather Project used light and steam to create representations of the sun and sky in the expanse of the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern.
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?
In his installation light and steam were used to create representations of the sun and sky in the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern. A huge bank of mono-frequency lamps provided a simulated sun, while a fine mist permeated the space, as if creeping in from the environment outside and accumulated into faint, cloud-like formations. Generally used in street lighting, mono-frequency lamps emit light at such a narrow frequency that only the colours yellow and black are visible- completely transforming the viewers experience of the space.
Collaboration
What were the disciplinary contributors to the project? What model of research / development was followed? What were factors leading to success / problems?
Olafur Eliasson produces ambitious installations often using elemental materials such as light, steam and temperature. There is a quasi-scientific element to Eliasson's work and he occasionally collaborates with scientists and engineers to produce spectacular and monumental works.
On The Weather Project his collaborators included :Dr Ing. Switbert Greiner (engineer); Alluvial Leichtspiegel GmbH; Unusual Rigging Ltd; Stage Electrics and Lightwaves Ltd.
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 artist’s intention is to allude to the general phenomenon of mediation in contemporary society and its place in even natural aspects of existence such as the weather.
"As inhabitants, we have grown accustomed to the weather as mediated by the city. This takes place in numerous ways, on various collective levels ranging from hyper-mediated (or representational) experiences, such as the television weather forecast, to more direct and tangible experiences, like simply getting wet while walking down the street on a rainy day." (Sourced at http://www.tate.org.uk/modern)
Links and Resources
http://www.olafureliasson.net
