The title of the work refers to the original “Seven Sisters” – a cartel of seven oil companies that dominated the global petrochemical industry and Middle East oil production from the mid-1940s until the oil crisis of the 1970s.
The work was originally commissioned for the Ars Electronica museum in Linz, Austria.
Professor McCormack explained that in this version of Fifty Sisters, each image is presented in different forms for an entire day, the rate of change dependent on fluctuations of the stock market price of the oil company whose logos were used to generate the image.
"Oil has shaped our civilisation and driven its unprecedented growth over the last century. We have been seduced by oil and its bi-products as they are now used across almost every aspect of human endeavour, providing fuels, fertilisers, feedstocks, plastics, medicines and more."The work was originally commissioned for the Ars Electronica museum in Linz, Austria.
Professor McCormack explained that in this version of Fifty Sisters, each image is presented in different forms for an entire day, the rate of change dependent on fluctuations of the stock market price of the oil company whose logos were used to generate the image.
"But oil has also changed the environment, evident from the petrochemical haze that hangs over many a modern metropolis, the environmental damage of major oil spills, and the looming spectre of global climate change. With worldwide demand for oil now at 93 million barrels per day, humanity’s appetite for oil is unrelenting. Oil companies regularly report many of the all-time largest annual earnings in corporate history."
All are welcome to hear Professor McCormack talk about his art and research. Refreshments will be served after the talk.
Astonishing work and concept :-)
ReplyDeleteThis exhibition is breath-taking, I hope to catch it soon!
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