Itinerant Signal Institute

2024-

Work in progress... "Itinerant Signal Institute" is a project that leverages open-source technology to examine and communicate about land use. As we move into a new era of potentially increasing climate migration, the project aims to create a network of sensors that test environmental toxins. It examines the effect of local emissions on global climate change. Ritual costumes are used to tell the story of the project, in which a figure has emerged from the melting permafrost to examine microclimates in New York City. It wears a headdress inspired by Eastern European carnival costumes that denote the changing of seasons. The microclimates studied contribute to shifts in temperatures and weather patterns worldwide. The project will act as an experiment and a guide to help with decision-making around issues of climate migration and environmental toxins. I've been testing the air and soil for toxins at different locations in New York City that are Superfund sites, including Governors Island, and Newtown Creek (where my family lived when they emigrated to New York City), and working with the Urban Soils Institute to collect information for the project.

Short video of the technology being built >>

In-progress website >>

Map of sites tested >>