Art Meets Tech in Climate Crisis Exhibition, Beijing

BEIJING, China - In a city where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, a thought-provoking exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing is challenging visitors to rethink their relationship with the environment. 

"Weather Station," a series of artistic experiments by Seoul and Busan-based artist duo MOON Kyungwon & JEON Joonho, opened on May 31, 2024, and will run until February 9, 2025.

The exhibition, which explores the complex relationship between humans, non-humans, and nature in the age of artificial intelligence, is a testament to the power of art to provoke dialogue and inspire change. 

MOON & JEON, known for their multi-sensory works that blend various technologies and media, have created an immersive experience that blurs the lines between the real and the unreal.

At the heart of "Weather Station" is "To Build a Fire" (2022-2024), an installation inspired by Jack London's 1902 short story of the same name. 

Guided by a four-legged robot named Spot, visitors traverse an augmented reality where they encounter the Earth's millennia of climate change through the lens of an AI-generated rock. 

The work is a powerful example of how technology can create powerful artistic experiences.

Other notable works in the exhibition include "News from Nowhere: ECLIPSE" (2022-2024), which follows a lone protagonist's struggle to survive aboard a rescue ship, and "Mobile Agora" (2022-2024), a participatory platform made of recycled plastic chairs that invite experts from various fields to collaborate and propose alternative ideas for human survival.

Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing's commitment to pushing boundaries extends beyond the exhibition itself. 

Hyundai Motor Group's Robotics LAB has developed a lightweight carbon monitoring device integrated into Spot, enabling real-time data collection within the exhibition hall. 

In addition, MOON & JEON collaborated with designer Hyung-jin Kim to create a carbon calendar that reinterprets open data from global cities, including Beijing.

As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, exhibitions like "Weather Station" serve as a reminder of the critical role art can play in addressing global challenges. 

By provoking thought, inspiring action, and shifting perspectives, MOON & JEON's work invites visitors to confront the uncomfortable realities of our time and reflect on their role in shaping the future.

While "Weather Station" may not offer concrete solutions to the climate crisis, it catalyzes meaningful dialogue and public engagement. 

As we navigate the uncertain waters of our changing planet, it is clear that creative collaborations like this one will be essential to driving the kind of change our world so desperately needs.