Makrolab

Makrolab is an autonomous communications, research and living unit and space, capable of sustaining concentrated work of 4 people in isolation/insulation conditions for up to 120 days. The project was started by Marko Peljhan in 1994, was first realised during documenta X in Kassel in 1997. It was exhibited and presented at V2_ in 1998, as part of the Wiretap 4.04 programme.

Below is the FAQ that can be found at the website of Makrolab (makrolab.ljudmila.org/faq/). This version dates from 2007, and was still online in 2010.

What is Makrolab?

Makrolab is an autonomous communications, research and living unit and space, capable of sustaining concentrated work of 4 people in isolation/insulation conditions for up to 120 days. The project started in 1994 and was first realised during an art exhbition, documenta X in Kassel in 1997.

Who is behind the project?

The project was started by Marko Peljhan, but has evolved and includes work of many people from many different disciplines. The current setup of the project, the mark II, was designed by the architects Matevz Francic and Aljaz Lavric, the metal work is the work of Joze Miklic. The construction itself was designed already in 1997 and you can find more information on it on the 1997 website.

How long will Makrolab last?

Makrolab has a projected life span of 10 years. The project as it envisioned now, will end in 2007, when a new architecture will be placed in the Antarctic as a permanent base. From then on, a new project, managed by a new Makrolab and Projekt Atol trust will start.

What do people in the Makrolab do?

Makrolab is equipped to accommodate artists, scientists, tactical media workers and creators and provides them with tools and means for their joint independent progressive work. People in the Makrolab do research primarily in the fields of telecommunicatons, weather systems and migrations on a very wide basis.

Why telecommunications, weather systems and migrations?

We at Makrolab see these three multiple-dynamic global systems as the source of understanding how our planet functions on social, technological and natural levels and see the knowledge inherent in them as the primary source of new cognitive and evolutionary strategies.

Why is Makrolab art?

Art is the field of human activity, where the notion of freedom in its widest sense still has a primary position. Makrolab is a machine to retain this position in the domain of art also in the future.

Why is Makrolab science?

Science is the field of human activity, where concentrated cognition, coupled with the dialectic of the clear goal and target and the exploration into the unknown is most present. If the methods and systems of art give us freedom, methods and systems of science give us the ability for progression and reflection.

Is Makrolab a profit venture?

No, Makrolab is a social not for profit experiment and is managed by the slovenian not for profit artist organisation Zavod Projekt Atol.

Who supports Makrolab?

Makrolab is supported by national governments, international organisations, private companies and private individuals which do not necessarily share the views and goals of the project.

What do a people see when they enter the Makrolab?

Makrolab is equipped with systems to provide the most comfortable conditions of work in a confined environment, and has five main sections: working suite, galley, storage systems, crew rest area and hygiene systems. You can find more about specific systems on the website.

Is Makrolab totally autonomous in all senses?

No, Makrolab produces its own energy from the sun and the wind, and will in future phases recycle most of its waste, but it is still dependent on the initial supply of food and fresh water.
Future systems that will be installed in the Makrolab include hydroponic units, permaculture gardens and waste recycling systems on many different levels, together with internal atmosphere management systems for very extreme conditions.

What is the power of the current Makrolab energy generation systems?

The current output power is 2.5kW, but a 10kW array is planned for the future Makrolab mark III and mark IV.

Where else will Makrolab be installed until 2007?

The planned positions for the future installations are in Slovenia, Scotland, Israel, South Africa, the Nunavut territory in Canada, Japan, Russia and Antarctica.

Can I join the Makrolab crew in one of the future installations?

Makrolab is an equal opportunity program open to everybody and you can start communicating with the curent Makrolab crew about your ambitions, proposals for colaboration and ideas through this e-mail: makrolab@ljudmila.org

Will the results of the work in the Makrolab be public?

Most of the work in the Makrolab is public and the results are published in electronic form and are freely available on the internet and other matrix resources.

What will happen in 2007?

Makrolab mark VII will be installed in the Antarctic and will serve as a permanent independent art-science station for research in the primary Makrolab fields of interest.