John Hansard Gallery is delighted to present LUMI, a new video essay by Abelardo Gil-Fournier and Jussi Parikka, with sound design by María Andueza Olmedo.
LUMI explores snow, luminosity, and the reflections of planetary light. Explored through the lens of climate and science fiction, the film presents a compelling narrative.
Within the film, ‘artificial agents’ travel through time. They use photographic images from the past to recreate future programmed landscapes. Historical photographic material is examined from the perspective of an imaginary synthetic intelligence. This AI repaints the landscape as part of a climate restoration effort. At the centre of the operation is the ‘albedo effect’: a measure of reflection of light as it hits a surface. This enables the mapping and simulation of ice and snow covered landscapes that have disappeared over time.
LUMI serves as a visual database, capturing the dynamic interplay of snow, ice, and light. It tells a story about the reversal of time and the formation of landscapes: once made, then remade.
Abelardo Gil-Fournier is an artist and researcher. Initially trained in physics, he holds a PhD in Arts from the Winchester School of Art. His work has been shown in international venues and exhibitions.
Jussi Parikka is Professor of Digital Aesthetics and Culture at Aarhus University, Denmark. He is also affiliated with Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton.
LUMI was supported by the Design and Aesthetics for Environmental Data project at Aarhus University (AUFF Grant, 2022–2025).