'Human Greenergy' illuminates Beijing temple with art and imagination

French artist YannToma (left) and architect Anne Laure Gimenez (right) talks about "Human Greenergy" art project. [Photo by He Keyao/chinadaily.com.cn]

A special installment designed by celebrated French artist Yann Toma illuminated the White Pagoda Temple (Bai Ta Si) in Beijing in a creative way recently.

Located in an old market at the heart of the White Pagoda Temple historical neighborhood, the installment, "Human Greenergy", invited people to join in an energy production experiment by expending calories through dance, tai chi and gymnastics, before the energy was symbolically collected to illuminate the stupa at night.

"The artwork creates a link with people," said the artist Yann Toma, "It symbolizes the distribution of energy and visualizes the energy inside people’s heart that can change the environment for the better."

The roof of the market was transformed into an open space where people could take part in physical exercises and contribute their "greenergy". The energy collected during daytime was transferred onto colored streams on giant screens before it was used on light project at night, so that visitors could see the immediate effect of their effort.

"It is a real experience just like climate change is a real experience, too," Toma said. The artwork demonstrated how each individual’s behavior could have a real impact on the environment, and that could inspire them to explore the relations between nature and sustainable development.

It also provided a new angel to discover the beauty of the area, said Anne Laure Gimenez, a French architect who co-produced the "Human Greenergy. With the varied light effects and the garden-like venue on the market roof, the project offered an interactive open space rarely seen in the crowded Hutong residence.

The project was part of the 3rd Franco-Chinese Month of the Environment that runs from September 27 to October 27.