Exhibit Brings New Life To Hall Of Science
BY Joe Marvilli
Cultural connectivity may not seem like an important part of science. However, the “ReGeneration” exhibit running at the New York Hall of Science shows just how large of a role that factor plays.
Presented in conjunction with Northern.Lights.mn, “ReGeneration” is an exhibit that uses art and science to show how cultural vitality connects to immigration, urbanization and sustainability.
Found on the lower level in the Central Pavilion, nine of the displays are enveloped by the tenth, an interactive cloud. Created by Living and SOFTlab, the “Common Weathers” project glows in response to text messages sent by attendees.
Ricardo Miranda Zuniga’s project, “A Geography of Being,” uses various tools to help place attendees in the role of an undocumented youth. Kinetic sculptures, a graphic zine and a video game all help to show what life is like for those without a citizenship or visa.
On a brighter note, “New York City Immigration Song” by Nick Yulman is a musical experience unlike any other. The project transforms data about immigrant patterns into a composition. Each piano string moves from a country to the City, tracing the paths of immigrants.
One of the more artistic ventures found is “99plus” by Shih Chieh Huang. Using materials found in local discount stores, Huang created a flower-like object that sways and spins in light wind. The representation is imagined as real life forms adapting to each other.
Out of all the exhibits, “World’s Fair 2.0” makes the most sense for NYSCI, as it was built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Back in the present, Marisa Jahn and Stephanie Rothernberg worked with teenagers to re-envision the event as a celebration of people.
While “World’s Fair 2.0” looks about 50 years into the past, “2049” shows what Scott Kildall thinks the future will bring. The artist imagines himself as a visitor from a future where resources are scarce, so he uses our garbage to build the imaginary devices he needs.
Also looking towards the future is the “Tomorrow 2.0” exhibit, created by Carl Skelton, Joe Fattorini and a group of high school students. Some of the ideas the students came up with for a future Flushing Meadows Corona Park include a methane house and a lake built with multiple levels to combat flooding.
A large group of collaborators led by Belgian biologist Angelo Vermeulen constructed “Biomodd [NYC4]” to show that the opposing forces of nature and technology can work together. The heat created by computers help the plants grow, while the plants cool the computers so they do not overheat.
“ReGeneration” will run until January 13 and is free with the cost of admission.
Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, or at jmarvilli@queenstribune.com.