Hybridizing Art and Energy

The Land Art Generator Initiative announces its submissions and finalists for their Abu Dhabi based competition for artists to merge sustainable energy production with art.

The NYTimes provides a nice write up. 
..."Its aim is to help participants to develop and ultimately attract investment to construct power-generating plants that are aesthetically and functionally integrated into the landscape.
The contest was established by the husband-and-wife team of Robert Ferry and Elizabeth Monoian, whose firm Studied Impact is focused on the environmental effects of design...."

They plan to hit NYC next!

Dubai Slow Down

With the global economy slowing things down, what will come of Dubai? Will it be merely a 21st century urban glitch? Will it evolve to accept the slower economy? What sort of resiliency does a place like Dubai have?

"With Dubai’s economy in free fall, newspapers have reported that more than 3,000 cars sit abandoned in the parking lot at the Dubai Airport, left by fleeing, debt-ridden foreigners (who could in fact be imprisoned if they failed to pay their bills). Some are said to have maxed-out credit cards inside and notes of apology taped to the windshield."

"Last month, local newspapers reported that Dubai was canceling 1,500 work visas every day, citing unnamed government officials. Asked about the number, Humaid bin Dimas, a spokesman for Dubai’s Labor Ministry, said he would not confirm or deny it and refused to comment further. Some say the true figure is much higher."

full article

United Arab Emirates Aid Debt-Ridden Member, Dubai