HOT SPOTS: What Comes After Oil? Petrol Station Interventions

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the Western World has become increasingly dependent on fossil fuels as the basis of our growth economy and privileged standard of living. This dependence has undermined the sustainability of all living systems and has destabilized world cultures. A paradigm shift is required to envision life-enhancing economies and wise use of our natural resources. Can we meet the challenge of renewable and responsible energy use—in our homes, communities, and across the globe?

Before change can occur, it must be imagined.

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Elizabeth Monoian is a principal artist with collaborators Ann Rosenthal and Karin Bergdolt on the international HOT SPOTS project.

Taking as points of departure are HOT SPOTS (petrol stations) in Munich, Germany; Pittsburgh, USA; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We have chosen these cities, local to where we live, as “case studies” for initiating a multi-national dialogue and exploration of the past, present and future of oil. Extending out from these HOT SPOTS in a radius of 200 miles/322 kilometers, we will reclaim abandoned gas stations as platforms for public art.

In addition to these primary sites, there are abandoned petrol stations all over the world. Independent of the central project, these SATELLITES will be dealt with separately by artists and artist groups. However, they will be linked with the platform HOT SPOTS.

In an attempt to reduce (and therefore re-imagine) our carbon footprint, virtual communications will be paramount. Live streaming, online papers, virtual classrooms and galleries, and the like will preserve physical resources and result in an international cacophony. Information, maps, and project programming will be disbursed through HOT SPOT offices in Munich, Pittsburgh, and Dubai and virtually on the web.

www.hot-spots.net