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As part of my ongoing research and work about the recording and transformation of energy, I have been recently building a test-series of portable microbial fuel cells or sediment batteries.

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The Geobacter is a biological organism that exists in water sediment and has recently been discovered to both recycle industrial wastewater (petroleum-based pollutants and heavy metals in groundwater and sediment) and generate electrons as a byproduct. Using equal amounts of water and sediment, a 5-gallon plastic container and 2 custom graphite electrodes can create simple and portable batteries. The harnessed energy from one battery is enough to power an LED or very low voltage/amperage device for several days.

My goal for this ongoing project is to take water and sediment samples from sites of urban renewal (Chicago, Brooklyn, etc) and develop the battery for a variety of artistic uses.  I would also like to answer a few questions. What would I power with these batteries? How would I exhibit this work?

In the summer of 2009, ten artists from seven countries met for a week in the countryside outside of Bolognia to create their own group residency. Each artist presented their work and led simple workshops to share their practice. In my workshop, participants assembled ‘Emotional Battery’ boxes, placed them around the surrounding countryside and documented them.

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The ‘Emotional Battery’, is a container that can draw from and store energy in the built environment as well as energize seemingly ‘dead’ urban spaces.

To learn more about this project, visit my website

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A intervention into public space around nyc (including the MOMA sculpture garden) using magnetic-backed warning labels. The labels draw attention to the potential ‘aliveness’ of everyday public objects and structures (mailboxes, lamp posts, public sculptures, etc.).

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The ‘Emotional Battery’, is a container that can draw from and store energy in the built environment as well as energize seemingly ‘dead’ urban spaces.

To learn more about this project, visit my website

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

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