​POLARIS: PORSGRUNN (2014)
a work of theatre devised by
seth and heather warren-crow

Polaris: Porsgrunn explores the ideas of Norwegian physicist Kristian Birkeland (1867-1917), whose explanation of the aurora borealis was ahead of its time. Birkeland's attempts to convince others that the sun causes auroral phenomena remind us of 21st century discussions regarding climate change, which also require that humans think about causation at a distance and across scale. Playfully invoking the format of the public lecture, which Birkeland used to generate buzz and encourage financial investment in his work, the piece combines spoken text appropriated from Birkeland’s scientific treatises, projected hand-drawn diagrams, and sound-making "experiments" with unusual instruments, such as metal detectors and aluminum cans.  Polaris: Porsgrunn was lit primarily by audience members using flashlights we provided.

Polaris: Porsgrunn debuted at the Scene: Bluss showcase at the Porsgrunn International Theatre Festival in Porsgrunn, Norway.

image credits: Alexandra Tveit (left), Seth Warren-Crow (right)

​A designed object from the performance was later exhibited at the Nova Sin gallery as part of the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, the most esteemed scenography exhibition in the world.

image credits: Adéla Vosičková