"One Cloud: A Vanishing Horizon" is an exploration of the incarnated relationship between clouds and human beings. It reveals the delicate yet profound interplay between our warming climate and the transient beauty of clouds.
Acting as thermal blankets and sunlight reflectors, clouds embody the paradox of our environment. High cirrus clouds, wispy and delicate, visible on clear days, absorb and trap radiation, contributing to Earth's warming. In contrast, clouds from the cumulus family, those fluffy shapes of fair-weather days, reflect sunlight back into space, performing a crucial cooling function.
"One Cloud - Observations" — The micro-videos initiates with a simple task: a 20-second observation of a cumulus cloud, communicated through a mobile reminder. This cloud transforms through a dynamic gradient of sunset hues, subtly shifting - a metaphor for our climate's fragile and transformative nature. At its heart, the piece employs the opponent-process theory of color vision, creating a lingering negative afterimage of the cloud as it fades into a stark white screen. The climax is a simple revelation: a message announcing the introduction of the Cumulus Cloud. The curious will be intrigued and will start reading the text attached to the piece, revealing the impending extinction of cumulus clouds due to rising global temperatures. By elucidating the nuanced roles of clouds and the interconnectedness of Earth's climatic systems, this piece serves as both a moment of reflection and a call to action, urging us to consider our role in this complex climatic narrative.
In resonance with Sandrine Bony's research and the findings of the EU-funded EUREC4A project (2022), this piece transcends mere commentary. It compels us to reflect on our role in Earth's climatic narrative and confront the question: how will we respond to our vanishing horizons?
The AR performance prompts introspection on our place within Earth's evolving climate narrative. As we witness clouds' transient beauty and their pivotal role in climate harmony, we are compelled to reflect on our response to these vanishing horizons.
Spark / Instagram AR filter available here: https://www.instagram.com/ar/1648774815609929/