PSJM, 2022, “Global use of energy from renewable and non-renewable sources from 2000 to 2050”.
Handmade textile with local wool and natural dyes, 100 x 200 cm, Created at the Ulitasloom workshop

Produced specifically for the exhibition Down to Earth, curated by Blanca De La Torre and Zoran Eric for the CAAM, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno, this work is part of the PSJM collective’s “clean future” series. It adopts an optimistic tone by representing future scenarios in which renewable energies become dominant. This is achieved through their unique aesthetic process, which the collective has named “social geometry,” where statistical data serves as the basis for minimalist compositions. Here, the work shows the expected development of fossil and renewable energy sources on a global scale.

These “social geometries” function as “temporal landscapes” that act as social, ecological, political, and ethical critiques. Faced with imminent catastrophe, these landscapes suggest that simply understanding scientific data is not enough, reminding us of the importance of art in visualizing a more habitable world.

PSJM’s social geometry has been expressed in various artistic mediums. This particular piece is a textile, created in collaboration with local artisan Ulrike Güse, who specializes in sustainable fabrics and natural dyes. The contrast between the coldness of the data and the warmth of the wool creates a comforting visual object that seeks to reconcile us with nature without losing sight of the scientific-technical sphere. In a dialogue between the artists and the artisan about pixels and tapestries, Ulrike noted that weaving is also based on a binary system of “negative-positive,” or “zeros and ones.” The piece thus appears as a form of artisanal technology or digital craftsmanship, representing the collective’s belief that the necessary combination of degrowth and the sustainable use of technology is the only way to overcome the climate emergency.

LOCATION:

CAAM, Atlantic Centre of Modern Art
Down to Earth, curated by Blanca De La Torre and Zoran Eric for the

DATE:
2022