Output details
34 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
University of Ulster
CO2 Absorber
The project is an inquiry into the impact of science on wider cultural contexts. Science is the dominant metaphor of our age, seen as both problem and solution. The CO2 Absorber is part of Sander's ‘World Saving Machine’ series. It is an awareness-producing device that combines research and a provocative sense of what he calls 'post-irony'.
CO2 Absorber explores environmentalism, climate change and artistic strategies in this context. Nevertheless, it is a machine that really does transform atmospheric carbon dioxide into O2 and C6H12O6. The artwork is informed by the aesthetics of scientific illustration and historical machines.
Postmodernist discourse frequently questions the concept of truth through an ironical, critical gaze. The post-irony strategy can be described as an attitude that takes irony seriously, in order to use it productively. CO2 Aborber researches the origins of contemporary sculpture on the interface of art and the natural sciences. This project is also about the artistic potential of scientific apparatus and the relationship between belief or value and image. Sander's project reacts to the media exposure of global warming and contemporary politics of the image. The CO2 Absorber was a reaction to articles in popular science magazines suggesting the production of artificial trees, in order to solve the CO2 problem.
The installation was commissioned by Philadelphia Sculptors’ Society for the exhibition ‘Global Warming at the Icebox’, following an invitation to participate in this exhibition by curator Leslie Kaufman, president of the organization. The internationally highly regarded Crane Arts Centre, Philadelphia, hosted the show. The project was reviewed in several publications and the sculpture travelled to various exhibitions and events: ‘Kaist Science and Humanities Project’ in Daejun, Korea, 2012; ‘Moa Presents’, Seoul National University, Korea 2011; ‘Nord Art 2011’, Germany.
