The winner of the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) will be announced at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) next week.
Throughout 2010 we featured several remarkable entries to the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition that inspires energy as art. Making music with the sun was one such entry, and when Abu Dhabi meets sand, sun, and sky was another.
Finally, the competition’s winner will be announced on January 19th at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, setting in motion the construction phase of the world’s first beautiful power plant. Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar, will hand over the award.
Envisioned by co-founders Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry, LAGI is establishing a new precedent in power production. Covering polluting smokestacks and carnivorous mines in their dust, the LAGI designs demonstrate that energy need not be destructive, nor ugly.
Hundreds of artists, architects, scientists, landscape architects and engineers from 40 different countries submitted art installations that harness the elements to produce electricity. The winning design, according to LAGI, “combines pragmatic utility and conceptual beauty.”
Once the announcement has been made at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), LAGI will seek partners to realize construction of the “first ever large-scale public artwork that generates utility scale electricity for city consumption.” In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the installation will provide power to thousands of UAE homes.
Once complete, the founders expect that the new “art plant” will draw tourists from around the world, and set an educational example for future energy projects.
“We are extremely proud to be supporting LAGI’s important initiative for UAE,” said Mr. Al Hosany.
“Sustainable design solutions play a vital role as we actively pursue the challenges related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change. Sustainable design is key to many of our projects, indeed the wind tower featured at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology building in Masdar City is a living example of how it is possible to combine a traditional cooling system with modern, sustainable and functional design solutions.”
Sponsored by Masdar, the prize will be awarded at 11am on January 19th. Renderings of other inspiring entries will be on display throughout the summit.
More on Studied Impact and the Land Art Generator Initiative:
READ: LAGI Guide To Making Renewable Energy Beautiful
Studied Impact’s Power Plant Fit For Living
Artocos: Musical Activism In Dubai
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
