Where’s Your Power

This project was created in collaboration with Dr. John Fogerty, a medical physician and cofounder of New Energy Economy. The project had several components. One comprised of a video booth where visitors were asked to describe where their electricity comes from and where, in the future, they would like it to come from. In addition, emerging documentary filmmakers were given video production workshops and sent out to interview dozens of members of the general public, who were asked the same set of questions. Their responses were recorded and edited into a humorous and enlightening video. Of the 90+ participants that responded to the questions, only two could name where or how their electricity was delivered to them. In addition, a 3.5 ton pile of coal, the average amount used by every American every year, was installed as a museum exhibit. In a coordinated action, the coal was placed in paper bags and walked from the exhibition site by individuals and community groups to State legislators in a protest against the health and ecological risks associated with fossil fuels. The action was performed on 24 October 2009 (International Day of Action on Climate Change) in a collective effort that included participation from Earth Care International’s Youth Allies, New Energy Economy, Santa Fe Critical Mass, United World College, UNM Sustainability Course, the Sierra Club, and hundreds of individuals. Specifically, there was a call for legislation to immediately reduce C02 levels to 350 parts per billion or below. This action was performed in alliance with 350.org in the lead up to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. The installation was part of a broader series of environmental actions I curated in connection to an exhibition entitled Mapping a Green Future.