Our Thoughts
The Weather Vein Project
Aniccha Arts is working on The Weather Vein Project to investigate the thoughts below, and produce a web-blog , conduct workshops with various age groups at schools, colleges and performance spaces, create a dance performance at Pillsbury House Theatre, June 5-7 2009, and have an installation at the Weisman Art Museum in July, 2009
Our thoughts
In a water and climate sensitive environment, Aniccha Arts investigates humans playing God in their desire and need for weather control. Humans have always altered their micro-weather conditions, whether to find ways of increasing or decreasing temperature, or improving air flow in their personal environment.
Sometimes weather modification is an unintended consequence of a collective human activity. For example, it has been discovered that summertime rainstorms in the southeastern U.S. are more frequent and severe in the middle of the week. This is an observation based on positive correlations made between heightened pollution activity levels and storm formation. Even an objective of producing electric power through wind farms, which seems like a positive energy solution, is accused of potentially slowing wind speeds. The extent of the effect on storm systems across the northern hemisphere could include knocking them hundreds of miles off course. This kind of repetition of unintended consequences affects the ability of humans and other species to adapt to changing weather patterns. The reality of Maldives searching for a new global location due to rising sea levels is one such consequence. Invariably, the accumulation of these events present a question of accountability with regard to the collective human cause.
Artificially inducing rain is another kind of modification of our weather, and a direct intervention. This type of modification has become a largely controversial issue and poses many questions about managing our resources in our present and future. Ever since water has become a luxury, and more regions in the US and across the world are faced with droughts and drying rivers, more people are less resistant to weather modification technologies such as cloud seeding (artificial rain-making). In times of naturally increased rainfall, cloud seeding could improve collection and storage amounts for times of water restriction. But, skeptics question whether increasing rainfall in one area will decrease it in another area, effectively ‘stealing’ rain. Additionally, there is evidence of ecological impact of traces of seeding chemical on sensitive eco-systems.
China is a world leader with regard to weather modification technologies. In the Beijing Olympics 2008, China seeded rain clouds for its opening and closing ceremonies. Many question the necessity of seeding rain clouds for an event, regardless of its prominence and importance internationally. However, who is to decide where and when weather modification technologies should be used? There is even historical evidence of manipulating weather in US warfare, for example inducing persistent precipitation during conflict. What are the risks and ethical considerations when scientists control the weather? At what point are humans unquestionably arrogant, and are caught ‘playing God’?
-Pramila Vasudevan
Sponsors
The Weather Vein Project is a commission of Northern Lights’ Art(ists) On the Verge program with the generous support of the Jerome Foundation. Additional support is provided by the McKnight Foundation, the Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Pangea World Theater.
