"Of course we care about reducing our energy consumption, but only if we can look good doing so. If not, then forget we ever mentioned energy consumption."
That's the message Olympic organizers are sending with the announcement of an interactive public art installation called Vectorial Elevation. Twenty-10,000 watt light bulbs will burn from dusk until dawn for 24 days in February, in the name of art.
The super-powered searchlights will illuminate the sky above English Bay from two locations, Vanier Park and Sunset Beach, to make light patterns in the sky that could be seen from up to 15 kilometres away.
The installation was designed by Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemme and co-commissioned by the City of Vancouver's Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program in conjunction with Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
It's sad that robotic searchlights etching patterns into the night sky are perceived as art, let alone as interactive public art. Shouldn't art evoke thoughts other than, "Wow, that's bright" and "Who's paying for all that electricity?"
How many homes could be powered with the energy it will take to power this monstrous creative exhibit? The organizers should spend their funds wisely and provide free electricity to a few dozen Vancouver area shelters rather than foot the bill for some pretty lights.
It's a good thing BC Hydro is encouraging a reduction in energy consumption for the upcoming Games otherwise the whole province might black out providing power for the enormous pointless art installation.
The giant search light contraption will utilize some degree of public input via a website, but how interactive is it when people have to log onto a website to cast their vote on a pattern? Couldn't the interactive component require actual human contact and less web surfing?
Take Legge Lewis Legge's Cup World installation where chain link fencing was constructed and music festival participants were encouraged to stick their recyclables in the fence. Installation participants had an actual hand at creating a large piece of interactive art while considering how many water bottles and cans North Americans consume.
It's too bad visitors to Vancouver won't be able to see the beautiful night sky because of light pollution covering approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of city sky.
British Columbians and Canadians alike should not allow any artist or organization to temporarily render any facet of nature unenjoyable just to make a financially and environmentally expensive artistic statement.
If the organizing public art committees really want to engage visitors, thoughtful art should be displayed throughout the city. You know - art that makes you think about humanity, war, love and poverty.
Let's hope viewers aren't blinded by the stupidity of this light installation, and realize it's not art, it's just a big, bright bad idea.
