Polliniferoused Container: Short Description
The title of the project, Polliniferoused Container, is derived from the field
of biology and means producing and carrying of pollen. The purpose of the project
is to develop the world's most compact mini-grid system powered by renewable energy,
a self-sufficient living and working unit able to fold out and function as an artist
laboratory at 11 locations in rural environments around the world.
This architectural unit is built as a standard sea freight container, which is
designed to be totally independent and mobile, able to function in any climatic
and geographical condition. It is a high-tech, self-loading unit with an auto-generated
energy system for modular living and working situations, for the activities ranging from
a regular household setup to a film and recording studio.
This project was initially implemented as an artist intervention into the research
system of the University of Technology at Delft (TUDelft) in 2001, and since than
much progress has been made. In the first phase, my engagement with both research
and design resulted in creating many bridges between different university 'islands'
and broadened up the visions of many people in this academic environment. More than
60 students from the range of Dutch universities and high schools completed their
assignments working on many different aspects of the unit.
Nowadays, the second part of the production and practical building is about to be
completed. A wide range of engineering offices and manufacturers around the world are
supporting the production phase, while numerous (more than 50) sponsors and official
institutions contributed significantly.
Numerous publications in an astonishing variety of magazines form professional journals
such as "Aluminium" to "Yacht vision", the fashionable "ID Magazine" and "De Kijk" have
been writing on and following the project.
The project was presented at "Designmai Symposium 2005" in Berlin, "Blueprints of Tomorrow,
Starship Earth - Designing the Environment" at the International Rotterdam Architecture
Biennale and got nominated for the 'Ode aan de Techniek' Price at NEMO, the Science Museum
in Amsterdam.
The project is also supported by the commission of Dutch Higher education, by Mr. Fokkema,
Rector Magnificus and patron of the project at the TUDelft and by Mr. Koichiro Matsuura,
General Director of UNESCO.
After completing the building phase of the unit, it will travel for a period of five years
around the world and be placed at 11 UNESCO locations. It will function as an art laboratory
for intercultural projects and I will map cultural diversity around the world, which should
strengthen the UNESCO Convention on Protection of Cultural Diversity. The first two locations
will be Ilulisset/Greenland (400 km north of the Polar circle) and Qurna near Luxor on the
edge of the Egyptian Sahara.
In collaboration with Decis Lab, artificial intelligence will be further enhanced and the
container's independent energy and water household will be monitored. The information
coming from the integrated sensor and intelligent system will be available on the Internet
and used as a case study to define whether the unit could also be efficient in disaster
relief situations.
The project asks the question of how far you can go with the attempt to cross borders
in mobility and communication. It incorporates the philosophy of 'reduce in order to
expand', combined with the Fluxus idea to compress an art studio into the size of a
suitcase. Beyond providing basic living needs and conveniences, the unit also looks as
if it has just come out of some Jacques Tati's movie - designed to be transformable for
a variety of settings. As its affect, these settings are staged to create different
realities. Simple and aesthetic, the fold-out unit is adjustable to a variety of circumstances.
The trick out of a hat is in this case a container, an art laboratory to explore and inspire with.
Artist laboratory
The polliniferoused container is a project by artist Hans Kalliwoda. This
mobile and autarkic studio functions as an interactive communication zone
all around the world.
The polliniferoused [=producing and transporting of pollen] container
project focuses primarily on local people, portraying their habits,
passions and fears. This project incorporates anthropological studies by
using the container as a art laboratory for artistic research and action. Just
like in his previous work, Hans Kalliwoda creates interactive
communication zones, where a dialogue between the artist, the public and
the arts can take place. The activities occurring in and around the
container lead to visual manifestations of potential solutions and
stimulate the cultural activities in these surroundings. The flexibility
of the container does not simply imply "easily movable", but also makes
use of the polliniferoused container’s capacity to function in various
natural and cultural environments.
The research and development phase of the polliniferoused container is
achieved through an artist intervention in a technical surrounding. Hans
Kalliwoda has been implementing the project at the TU Delft, which
combines science, education and culture. Since 2000 he has involved more than 50
students from all sorts of faculties in the polliniferoused container
project participating on fundamental research and more applied studies.
The polliniferoused container forming the most compact and mobile
living/working unit, which can be placed and unfold in any climatic and
cultural condition. Featuring an intelligent plug and play modular
interior, an inflatable membrane cover tent, a self-loading possibility,
an independent energy household and a low cost communication toolbox, all
based on sustainable outlines.
The polliniferoused container is a project under patronage of the Rector
Magnificus of the TU Delft and Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, The Director-General
of UNESCO. Besides it has been nominated to win the "Ode aan de Techniek"
price, is participating at the 1. International Architecture Biennale
Rotterdam and will be a showcase for many more of this kind of events. The
National Commission of Sustainable Higher Education and ODO (onderwijs
duurzame ontwikkeling) is planning to involve students and may accompany Hans
Kalliwoda and the polliniferoused container on his five-year journey to
eleven UNESCO world heritage sites around the globe.