“The Tipping Point” is a proposal for a data driven light and sound kinetic installation of 24 custom light metronomes. The artwork highlight the urgency and the increased risk that one or several tipping elements in the climate system might cross a critical threshold, resulting in severe consequences for the global climate, ecosystems and human societies. Using data from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report the installation begins a journey through the rise of the global temperature. Starting from 1950 to the present and then to the future as describe on the SSP5 (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways) projection model, a future where fossil fuel will still be the basis of our economy and energy system. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said, “…time is running out. Irreversible climate tipping points lie alarmingly close.”

Yiannis Kranidiotis is an artist whose work explores the relationship between science and art using mainly light, motion and sound to create spaces and experiences where all coexist and interact. Frank Dentener works since 30 years in the field climate change, agriculture and atmospheric pollution and is a senior expert and group leader at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. The pair met, connected at the SciArt Summer School on the topic of NaturArchy which took place in June 2022 at the JRC, consequently deciding to work together.

Catch up on the team's presentation on 31/05/2023 at the JRC.