Harbor Island Studios–Petrofuture Gallery

Last week were two evenings of history and performance at Harbor Island Studios.

It was a fantastic set of nights. The Conspiracy of Cartographers Petrofuture Gallery was the latest iteration of maps and videos in physical space–and it was a goddamn triumph. Hundreds of people came through the gallery. Folks were curious and engaged; I had some fascinating conversations. The space itself was perfect for the needs of the installation, and I was able to create a gallery that made the most of both the physical maps and the projected video. It was a learning experience for me–the next step in designing a gallery space that engages and fascinates the audience.

The last Steam Plant Science Fair was the first to integrate maps, video, and audio. The Mini Mart City Park Future Forward exhibit allowed me to test out the integration of map animations with other film media into a conceptual framework of nostalgia and propaganda. This was a significant step further–I created an entire gallery space that combined multiple media into an immersive experience.

Interestingly, I did get the stink-eye from a handful of folks. This work is controversial among a certain set of demographics–including many in the industrial community of Harbor Island. The Shell corporation has a large oil depot just up the road, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the crotchety, WASPy old dudes were oil executives.

Check out the walk-through of the space in the video below.