Open as of August 15, 2015, a unique STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) design competition from the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) challenges young people (anyone below age 19) to design creative applications of renewable energy technologies, cleanly harnessing natural forces (solar, wind, wave, tidal, etc.) for electricity. The design brief asks for a conceptual design of a public artwork for a site adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier that stretches from the beach into the water. The idea is that the artwork will help to power the historic Pier while inspiring tourists and beachgoers about the beauty of our 100% sustainable future.
Schools and youth programs around the world are taking advantage of the LAGI 2015–2016 Youth Design Prize at http://youth.landartgenerator.org. It offers the opportunity to combine learning in subjects as diverse as math, science, art, creative writing, graphic design, engineering, history, and environmental study into one amazing project-based learning outcome. Winners will be awarded $6,000 ($3,000 Middle School Prize and $3,000 High School Prize), and all submissions will be in exhibitions and a printed publication.
What will be the visual impact of renewable energy installations on the landscapes of our cities and countryside? Can wind and solar power plants be designed to be beautiful?
The main goal of the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) is to design and construct public art installations that have the added benefit of utility-scale clean energy generation. Each sculpture will continuously distribute clean energy into the electrical grid, with each having the potential to provide power to thousands of homes. Since 2010 LAGI has held three professional design competitions open to individuals and interdisciplinary teams around the world (2010–Dubai, 2012–New York City, 2014–Copenhagen).
LAGI 2016 will be held for a site in Southern California (the waters adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier) and we are thrilled to announce that alongside this year’s professional competition we will be inviting middle school and high school students to participate in this unique Youth Prize.
The deadline for entries is May 15, 2016, giving youth (teams or individuals) the entire school year to design their renewable energy infrastructure artwork. LAGI has provided a complete free Toolkit of activities that lead participating students through the entire design process from understanding the problem and conceptualization, to design iteration and presentation. And the LAGI team is available to provide workshops in person and online throughout the year.
Participating students will demonstrate their skills in composition and invention, and incorporate their understanding of renewable energy technology, science, and math by estimating the annual electrical output of their installations.
The entire process is free online at www.youth.landartgenerator.org. The Design Brief, Toolkit, and all supporting presentations and materials are there for download. The submission process is also online and consists of uploading three image files and one written document. Participants are encouraged to design in two and three dimensions and to take photographs of their physical model/prototype and/or use 3D modeling software (optional) if it is available.
Working together we can build a global community of young people who are inspired and equipped to design the landscape of our clean energy future!
Project partners include the City of Santa Monica, Green Public Art, USGBC LA Chapter, Arts:Earth Partnership, and the Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH).
More about LAGI can be found here: www.landartgenerator.org
LAGI Directors Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry can be contacted at lagi@landartgenerator.org and 509-961-6237
