A climate art exhibition in Salford is working to highlight energy consumption in Salford households.
The climate exhibition features photography by UK artists McCoy Wynne; a collaboration by photographers Stephanie Wynne and Stephen McCoy. The artwork on display at the open art gallery in the New Adelphi building has combined both photography and science.
The project is based around the energy house at the University of Salford. The house is a lab chamber designed to be tested and measured to help understand and improve people’s energy efficiency in their home. The photography displayed therefore portrays the house and the effects of the current climate crisis.
Stephen McCoy said: “Some people may think that photography is very analytical and descriptive, but it can be whatever you want it to be. One thing we play into is our method of photography, which is imagination.
“Maybe something that people think is dry, or scientific or engineering based, can be engaging and beautiful to look at. And even something about the climate crisis doesn’t have to be disturbing to look at it can be something you enjoy looking at” said Stephanie Wynne.
The artists, included the scientific background in their photography but also used flowers they had grown from seeds or furniture from new builds in Greater Manchester to help the artwork look more visually appealing and engage more people.
33% of houses in the UK still have lofts with low levels of insulation. Research on the energy house shows that insulation in a loft can be one of the most cost effective measures to help improve energy efficiency in older homes. This was the focus in the photography, therefore the artists used an infrared camera to show the heat levels in the house.
They also used a temperature scale in the photos.
The climate exhibition aims to teach people about the climate crisis and how to save energy consumption within their homes.
Following his explanation as to why he thinks the artwork will be effective being displayed at the university, Stephen McCoy said: “The younger population, like the students at the university, will be the people that are most affected by the current climate crisis. Young people need to appreciate what is going on in the world and to change things.”
The free artwork event is part of the LOOK biennial 2022: Climate X University of Salford climate exhibition, which is running from the 10th October until the 23rd of December at the New Adelphi art gallery on the University of Salford Campus.
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