Gods of Water
Artist Kuang-Yi Ku collaborates with climate change experts to research and investigate disasters related to "water," such as rising sea levels, flooding, and heavy rain. They envision the future world of water disasters after climate change, combining Art & Science, speculative design, and the "Shared Socioeconomic Pathways” (SSP) proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to explore the intertwining spectrum of human culture, spirituality, and cutting-edge climate technology in the face of immense disasters. They create fictional gods of water: the "God of Technology," the "God of Weapons," and the "God of Rumors," exploring how the patterns of human civilization and spirituality evolve in conjunction with technological progress amid environmental upheavals. The project focuses mainly on the transformation of humanity, desires, and emotions in the context of climate disasters, guiding the audience to reflect on their current relationship with the natural environment through speculative future scenarios.
Credit:
Artist: Kuang-Yi Ku
Project manager: Chun-Ting Chen
Climate change scientist and expert: Yi-Chi Wang, Shun-Te Wang, Carrie Chao
Weapon design, modeling and animation: Eric Liu
Vtuber design and animation: Hong-Xiang Huang
Exhibition design: Tzu-Yen Chen, Hsing-Wen Lin
Supported by Ministry of Culture, Taiwan
Credit:
Artist: Kuang-Yi Ku
Project manager: Chun-Ting Chen
Climate change scientist and expert: Yi-Chi Wang, Shun-Te Wang, Carrie Chao
Weapon design, modeling and animation: Eric Liu
Vtuber design and animation: Hong-Xiang Huang
Exhibition design: Tzu-Yen Chen, Hsing-Wen Lin
Supported by Ministry of Culture, Taiwan
Exhibition at Taoyuan Art x Technology Festival (TAxT) 2022
God of Technology
In the future, humanity will rely on "supercomputers" for climate predictions to plan the trajectories of all civilizations. Through big data computation, the supercomputer can grasp the course of human life, and a divine aspect originating from "technology" descends in this fictional scenario. People on Earth entrust the decision-making power of fate to artificial intelligence for climate big data computation. The existence of the "supercomputer" is a pinnacle, deciding the fate of all humanity. The supercomputer becomes the all-powerful and all-knowing "God of Technology," using the power of technology to dominate, enslave, and control society. Yet, humans submit to this colossal technological entity, as submission is the only way to survive in extreme climates.
Underwater Supercomputer Cluster:
Placing high-heat supercomputers underwater and using seawater circulation for cooling enhances the overall system's energy efficiency compared to air on land.
Supercomputer computing Visualization Interface:
Presenting the complex abstract meteorological observation and operation of climate weapons in real-time atmospheric models through an intuitive 3D interface.
Underwater Supercomputer Cluster:
Placing high-heat supercomputers underwater and using seawater circulation for cooling enhances the overall system's energy efficiency compared to air on land.
Supercomputer computing Visualization Interface:
Presenting the complex abstract meteorological observation and operation of climate weapons in real-time atmospheric models through an intuitive 3D interface.
God of Weapons
In this fictional era of extreme climates, weather weapons become crucial in global warfare. The overwhelming combat capabilities of weather weapons, coupled with the dark minds of global conspiracy theorists, give rise to the "God of Weapons" in this extreme climate era. This god controls the energy of violence and destruction in that age, not only demolishing the material world but also disintegrating the mental state of humanity. Its numerous followers reflect the darker side as opposed to the goodness of humanity.
Atmosphere Monitoring Drone:
Large drones are orbiting Earth in low orbit, capable of solo roaming and rapid group cruising. Primarily designed for comprehensive observation of Earth's atmospheric conditions, these drones serve a dual purpose as reflectors in the solar focusing platform, capable of focusing sunlight on heating the atmosphere and creating destructive extreme weather as a weapon of war.
Solar Focusing Platform:
Initially designed as a supply platform for atmosphere monitoring drones, its primary function is to focus sunlight on heating the atmosphere, enabling the functionality of various weather weapons. The overall structure is a slender spindle to meet the required focal distance of a large parabolic mirror, providing precise control over orientation at smaller angular velocities.
Atmosphere Monitoring Drone:
Large drones are orbiting Earth in low orbit, capable of solo roaming and rapid group cruising. Primarily designed for comprehensive observation of Earth's atmospheric conditions, these drones serve a dual purpose as reflectors in the solar focusing platform, capable of focusing sunlight on heating the atmosphere and creating destructive extreme weather as a weapon of war.
Solar Focusing Platform:
Initially designed as a supply platform for atmosphere monitoring drones, its primary function is to focus sunlight on heating the atmosphere, enabling the functionality of various weather weapons. The overall structure is a slender spindle to meet the required focal distance of a large parabolic mirror, providing precise control over orientation at smaller angular velocities.
God of Rumors
When trust in rumors surpasses scientific research, various norms and government systems may collapse. How can the discourse of mysticism, emerging religions, or opinion leaders deceive the fragile minds of the general public? The "God of Rumors" in this future deity feeds on people's vulnerability, stirring disturbances in deception and enchantment. In a world of future water disasters influenced by digital technology, the "God of Rumors" refers to the "idols," "online celebrities," and "influencers" in the digital world. This deity is a fictional, abstract, massive spiritual force that can transform into observable, experiential fictional characters. In this future scenario, fictional digital idol characters become opinion leaders, spreading various anti-climate change discourses and interacting with the inner thoughts of the crowd through highly interactive digital platforms, consuming them.
Virtual streamer:
Distrusting technology and government theories, not relying on climate predictions, actively uniting followers with similar visions and ideas, operating a personal channel with unique perspectives and a rebellious style, and broadcasting views on societal trends and various issues. This includes how ignorant individuals become blind followers of technology. Initially disliked by many people during the channel's early operation, the daring image of challenging mainstream opinions and speaking bluntly still garnered many loyal fans. Despite not verifying all statements, the virtual idol still gained attention beyond what other virtual idols could achieve.
Virtual streamer:
Distrusting technology and government theories, not relying on climate predictions, actively uniting followers with similar visions and ideas, operating a personal channel with unique perspectives and a rebellious style, and broadcasting views on societal trends and various issues. This includes how ignorant individuals become blind followers of technology. Initially disliked by many people during the channel's early operation, the daring image of challenging mainstream opinions and speaking bluntly still garnered many loyal fans. Despite not verifying all statements, the virtual idol still gained attention beyond what other virtual idols could achieve.