PAST
IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL MATIU
FB: I would like to start the conversation by looking at a study you have just completed. This involved analyzing snow depth data from 800 stations in the Alpine region, since 1970. How did this study come about and what knowledge could be gained from it?
MM: Two important findings were obtained from the study. The first is the large spatial patterns of snow, i.e. how the snow is distributed in the Alpine region. The main factor in snow is known to be altitude. The higher you are, the more snow you can expect. We also know that temperature, precipitation, radiation and wind have an influence on snow depth. But here the topography of the Alps comes into play, they act as a weather divider and separate the three major climatic influences on the Alpine region: the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and continental Europe. Here we can see clear north-south gradients and east-west gradients that affect temperature, precipitation and other climatic parameters.
These phenomena also have a significant influence on snow depths. Looking at snow depths, we see that on average there is 30 percent less snow in the south than in the north, due in part to temperature differences but largely to precipitation differences. To arrive at this result, 2000 measuring stations from the entire Alpine region were evaluated.
The second aspect was to study the changes over the last 50 years. From the snowy 70‘s to the 2010‘s we were able to determine the rates of change. The rate of change from 1970 to 2019 showed large-scale snow declines. These occur mainly at low elevations in winter and no elevations at all in spring. In this, we can see the influence of temperature changes.
BLINDING
2021
The relationship between snow, people and the built environment are well evident in road traffic. In heavy snowfall, traffic is partially blocked and can cause major problems. Especially in higher areas where more snow falls, entire roads and passes can be closed. In the chapter on the color white, the glare potential of snow is also discussed. It is a characterizing property. To provide an arc, the topic of glare was revisited in this exhibit. The relationship between snow and road traffic and the general glare that occurs when driving justify the selection of road signs as the exhibit for this theme.
The signs have different lengths and widths and were made by the artist. First, iron plates were cut to the correct size and the edges were sanded. Then they were cleaned. The most time-consuming step was to stick the reflective foil onto the metal. Care had to be taken to apply it to the metal without bubbles and to avoid scratches. This process was repeated six times. The next step was to inscribe the signs. For this purpose, a water-resistant pen was used.
Material: 6x iron plate, Orafol ORALITE traffic sign foil, Handwriting Dimension: 2x 1100x250x2mm, 2x 770x200x2mm, 2x 480x150x2mm
The relationship between snow, people and the built environment are well evident in road traffic. In heavy snowfall, traffic is partially blocked and can cause major problems. Especially in higher areas where more snow falls, entire roads and passes can be closed. In the chapter on the color white, the glare potential of snow is also discussed. It is a characterizing property. To provide an arc, the topic of glare was revisited in this exhibit. The relationship between snow and road traffic and the general glare that occurs when driving justify the selection of road signs as the exhibit for this theme.
The signs have different lengths and widths and were made by the artist. First, iron plates were cut to the correct size and the edges were sanded. Then they were cleaned. The most time-consuming step was to stick the reflective foil onto the metal. Care had to be taken to apply it to the metal without bubbles and to avoid scratches. This process was repeated six times. The next step was to inscribe the signs. For this purpose, a water-resistant pen was used.
MEASUREMENT
IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL MATIU
FB: The manual method has actually been used to measure snow cover for quite some time, has it not?
MM: Snow measurements have been taking place this way for several centuries. The oldest records we know of in Italy are those from Turin. Many such measurements were carried out, especially at the beginning, at universities. In the 20th century, and especially after 1960, the measurement network became more and more dense all over Europe.
The snow cover can be measured in different ways. The oldest method, and also the most widely used, is measuring with a meter stick. One can read the snow depth by means of a fixed measuring stick stuck in the ground
LIGHT METER, 2021
IN COLLABORATION:
X-LASER LANA & LED TECH
The Light Meter is a sophisticated device designed to measure snow depth, featuring an integrated LED strip on its back for seamless illumination. A contact sensor at the base enables easy activation with a simple foot tap, complemented by a small transformer for power efficiency. This device doubles as an ambient light source when leaned against a wall, emitting a warm glow with a 3000 Kelvin color temperature, merging utility with aesthetic appeal in measuring snow cover and enhancing indoor spaces.
Materia: Inox with engraving, LED strip 1500mm, Transformer 80x20x20mm, Sensor 10x20x5mm, Cable 2000mm – Dimension: 1600x50x20mm
