john gerrard to simulate nevada’s solar reserve at lincoln center plaza
image © solarreserve

 

 

 
displayed on a 28 by 24 foot frameless LED wall on lincoln center’s josie robertson plaza, irish artist john gerrard‘s ‘solar reserve (tonopah, nevada) 2014‘ will simulate an actual solar thermal power tower and its surrounding desert landscape. uniting technology and artistry, the digital work mimics the site’s 10,000 mirrors, which reflect sunlight upon the tower to heat molten salts, forming a thermal battery which is used to generate electricity. the compelling, virtual world changes in real time throughout the day, imitating the actual movements of the sun, moon, and stars across the sky as they would appear at the nevada location.

 

‘I have been interested in creating a public artwork for new york for many years, on account of the long history of important public interventions in the city.’ gerrard describes ‘to place solar reserve at lincoln center explores the dynamic between a major cultural site and a found solar beacon with reference to the energetic context in which both objects exist. the piece cannot be consumed as a film might—it is much longer and akin perhaps to a durational performance. the work exists over a 365 day period, and visitors to this installation at lincoln center will get to experience two months of it.’

 

presented by lincoln center, in association with public art fund, the installation will begin its course on october 3rd, 2014. the virtual world has been meticulously constructed by the artist and a team of modelers and programmers using a sophisticated video game engine. simultaneously over a 24-hour period, the point of view will cycle from ground level to a satellite view every 60 minutes, creating an elaborate choreography among perspectives.