The political debates associated with the 2008 elections are currently in high gear. We all hear that the role of energy and our environment is on the top of the list of important issues, but who gets to ask the important questions? The Futurefarmers, an artist group based in San Francisco, is coming to Chicago for two days to develop a public art project about energy policy and they want you to join them in asking questions. The Futurefarmers are well known for their innovative design and arts education activities and have exhibited at the Whitney Biennial and the Museum of Modern Art.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail energy@futurefarmers.com or visit their website.
ASK THE EXPERTS TENT
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM both days
The Futurefarmers have arranged to have scientists from the University of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Energy on-hand to answer any and all questions the public might have about energy. Where does it come from? How does it work? What do the presidential candidates’ proposed policies really mean? Question the experts directly about the most pressing issues of our time. David Archer and Justin Borevitz from the University of Chicago will be available on Monday, July 21. Robert Jacob from the U.S. Department of Energy and Albert Colman from the University of Chicago will be available on Tuesday, July 22.
CONTINUUM WORKSHOPS The program is made possible by the Futurefarmers and The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. It is also co-sponsored in part by The Public Square at the IHC.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM both days
The Futurefarmers will conduct “continuum workshops” that you are invited to join. Participants will be asked position themselves physically on a continuum in relation to certain questions and then talk to people on either side about their position to ensure that they are in the right place relative to others’ feelings on the issue. After discussing where they stand, new criteria may be formed in response to the original question and shifts may occur. This method is used to physically visualize positions in a group around a certain issue. Please submit your ideas for continuum questions about energy online or just come by and participate!
Free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail energy@futurefarmers.com.