Cipher

From data to art: The untold life and legacy of a wind turbine

What if wind turbines could tell their life stories and we became their biographers? In collaboration with Vattenfall, Interactivist chronicles their existence through unique, data-driven paintings that depict the key episodes of individual turbines.

Blending scientific analysis with personal stories and artistic expression, these artworks capture the essence of each turbine, reflecting its identity and context. In doing so, we demonstrate that the energy transition, in the interplay between sustainability and society, not only creates economic value but also reveals deeper meaning and hidden beauty, becoming an essential part of our cultural and emotional landscape.

Data as the paint, the algorithm as the brush, and the turbines as the artist

We illustrate this through the portrayal of ‘WH1101 - Horns Rev 1,’ showcasing its social, environmental, and operational interactions across key stages; from inception and operation to decommissioning and re-use. The artworks, crafted as visual and tactile abstractions of data, highlight the turbine’s multifaceted impact, inviting viewers to engage with its narrative in a more artistic and emotive way.