“Light Bulbs” (2008, 72 x 96 inches) depicts
320,000 light bulbs, which, according to Jordan, is
equal to the number of kilowatt-hours of electricity wasted in the united States every minute from
inefficient residential electricity usage (inefficient
wiring, computers in sleep mode, etc).
difficulty individuals have understanding their
actions and purchases in the context of the social
consequences felt 10,000 miles away. “That’s what
I’m trying to do with my work, is to take these
numbers, these statistics from the raw language of
data, and to translate them into a more universal
visual language that can be felt,” he said.
“If we can feel these things more deeply, then
they’ll matter to us more than they do now. And
if we can find that,” Jordon said, “then we’ll be
able to find within each one of us what it is that
we need to find to face the big question, which
is, how do we change?”
Learn more about Chris Jordan’s work, includ-
ing his upcoming exhibits, at chrisjordan.com. ST
Copyright © 2010 by the American Solar Energy Society Inc. All rights reserved.
Seen from a distance, Chris Jordan’s work is a
montage of patterns that beckons us to look
closer. up close, as we recognize the elements of
the composition as everyday objects, the work
of art becomes more personal and provocative.
© CHriS JordAn, CHriSJordAn.Com
© CHriS JordAn, CHriSJordAn.Com
solartoday.org SOLAR TODAY September/October 2010 43
“Gyre” (2009, 8 x 11 feet, in three
vertical panels) depicts 2. 4 million pieces
of plastic, equal to the estimated
number of pounds of plastic pollution
that enter the world’s oceans every
hour. All of the plastic in this image was
collected from the Pacific Ocean.
