[MAFD] :: MAPPING ACTIVE FIRE DATA  © 2018

The sustainability of our planet is seriously threatened. Among the risks that challenge the fragile balance of our ecosystem are: the increasing greenhouse effect; the destruction of the ozone layer; and the erosion, desertification and destruction of the rainforest. Quantifying, through data, the impact of these signs helps us to understand and formulate methods of environmental management.

[MAFD] :: Mapping Active Fire Data is part of an artistic investigation consisting of a dynamic and interactive cartographic visualisation of the forest fires that have ravaged the earth's surface during the decade from 2008 to 2017. Using data extracted from scientific sources, the project makes visible the wounds caused on the earth's surface by the fires that are continuously burning. The installation uses graphics and cartography as vehicles for data visualisation. It aims to draw attention to an environmental problem, using the visual metaphor that artistic language possesses as a tool for activating sensibilities, consciences and questions.

The exhibition is articulated around three axes. The first space welcomes the viewer with [MAFD] :: Burning, an interactive video mapping in real time, where the presence of each individual will create a visual carpet of generative fires; traced from the physicality of each body on the surface of the room.

In the central space, [MAFD] :: Planisphere and [MAFD] :: Graphic Atril (2008-2017), the main core of the project, is located; a sculptural, light and interactive installation, which collects and visualises three-dimensionally the data of the active fires in the last decade. A matrix device, conceived as a three-dimensional pixel screen on which to represent, through the reflection of light on the glass, the dynamic evolution of forest fires in the time frame under investigation. Ten structures are connected to this central core, which display the monthly data and graphs for each year, based on three parameters: burned area, CO2 emissions and number of fires (fire count). The spectator can interact, via a touch screen, with the core of the installation, to choose the evolution of fires in a specific year.

The third space presents the series [MAFD] :: MOD14A1_M_FIRE, made up of ten diagrammatic cartographies, based on the Voronoi Tessellation principle, a type of generative computational geometry based on the concept of Euclidean distance metric; and created from images extracted from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometry System (MODIS), on board the satellites controlled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The exhibition concludes with the presentation of a research space where the documents and sources that have contributed to the project are collected.

CREDITS::  

Conceptualisation: Esther Pizarro
Production: Esther Pizarro Studio
Technology: Markus Schroll
Funding: Project carried out thanks to the support of the Subdirección General de Promoción de las Bellas Artes, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte.

Winner project of the Antón Grant to support sculptural creation 2017.

EXHIBITED AT::

Tabacalera, La Fragua. “[MAFD] :: Mapping Active Fire Data”, Comisariado: Begoña Torres. Subdirección General de Bellas Artes, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte, Madrid, España. 23/11/2018 al 27/01/2018

Centro de Escultura de Candás Museo Antón. “ [MAFD] :: Mapping Active Fire Data”, Candás, Asturias, España. 06/09/2018 al 13/10/2018

Euskalduna Urban Hall. “Cartografías intangibles”. Euskalduna Bilbao, España. 29/12/2022 al 04/02/2023

ASSOCIATED CATALOGUE::

Pizarro, Esther (2018); Catálogo exposición: [MAFD] :: Mapping Active Fire Data. Textos: Begoña Torres, Blanca de la Torre y Esther Pizarro.  Edita: Secretaría  General Técnica, Subdirección General de Atención al ciudadano, Documentación y Publicaciones, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. Extensión: 32 páginas. Idioma: español-inglés. Formato: 26 x 35 cm. Encuadernación: periódico. NIPO 030-18-007-7. DL: M-37929-2018

Pizarro, Esther (2018); Catálogo exposición: [MAFD] :: Mapping Active Fire Data. Textos: Amelia Fernández López y Esther Pizarro. Edita: Centro de Escultura de Candás Museo Antón, Asturias. Extensión: 38 páginas. Idioma: español. Formato: 21x21 cm. Encuadernación: rústica. ISBN: 978-84-949364-0-1. DL: AS 3287-2018

FURTHER INFORMATION ::

Información institucional Tabacalera Madrid
Visita virtual exposición

Video institucional