LANDSCAPE OF OUR DESIRE. 2021

This artwork by Stanza is an eco visualisation that questions the reality of how we are polluting our cities and our environment. As we increasingly pollute the air with our behaviors, other systems and networks become evident. The artwork is based on global pollution data. One of a series of new artworks under the theme living landscapes.

What you experience. You see pulsating red LEDS switching on and off which are reacting to a generative system of global pollution data. Using a custom made API  that gathers data from 120 world cities collecting No2. The system is overseen by an AI which uses machine learning to detect patterns that are conveyed to the landscape. What you experience is a time based visual artwork which is 100cm by 120cm.

Available for exhibiton and touring. Set up time a few hours max.

Credit. Artwork by Stanza. This new digital artwork by Stanza is the result of a residency with NTNU.

RESEARCH CONTEXT.

Alternative titles. The Air We Breath. We did This. This Future is No Future. Choke On this.

Landscapes of Binary Process. This physical system made from electronics and custom computer parts that is affected by data from across the world and has the real time agency of this wider environment space we all inhabit. Within this context the artwork in some way reframes the world, and its concurrent behaviours via the ubiquitous technologies of today. Sensor data from glocal pollution stations is harvested into this artwork. This first task was to add new (DATA) from global smart city API’S. This involved going online and finding suitable data to add to the STANZA.API and using the GATEWAY. The goal of the research is to create and artificial intelligence (AI) over a series of data feeds. In order to do this an API with lots of data was built with machine learning (ML) built into the online system. This enabled a machine learning feed that is used to make the artwork.

SOFTWARE

The system uses NO2 data from the Stanza.api which is gathering raw  data from 250 world cities using NO2 data ( which is pollution data) and using a machine learning algorithm which  looks for patterns in these data. Using a 12 hour chunk of these data the system converts it into binary. The software looks at the varying binary patterns;  at the extremes of the peaks and then when it is not moving and this is mapped to the LEDS system. If it is plugged directly in to the internet via ethernet it works in real time.

The Stanza Gateway provides simplified access to the Stanza API and facilitates contribution to the ongoing development of the Stanza Platform. The Stanza API offers a standardised interface to a number of external data feeds with simple HTTP / Websocket endpoint urls and JSON responses in a common standard format ( see documentation below ). Further feeds can be added on request.

There are two main nitrogen based compounds that are emitted from combustion engines: NO2 and nitric oxide (NO). Collectively these two pollutants are referred to as NOx or oxides of nitrogen. Short and long term exposure to NO2 has been linked with an increased risk of respiratory problems. People with asthma, young children and older adults have an increased sensitivity to its effects. The secondary pollutants caused by the presence of NO2 in the atmosphere also have their own adverse effects. 

HARDWARE 

TECHNICAL SET UP

Uncrate plug in to main and hang on the wall.

Artwork by Stanza 2021