Makrolab is an autonomous communications and living unit created by Marko Peljhan.
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.