The Makrolab models a new kind of activity, sitting astride the traditional disciplinary divides. Its presence in remote locations is intended to be high-impact in the realm of artistic and scientific information and education, yet low-profile in the physical environment. It arrives in a container and after set up is plugged into communications networks and satellite links. It produces its own power from a wind turbine and solar panels.

Makrolab is an evolutionary project - planned to take 10 years - which includes work of many people from many different disciplines and cultures in its development. Within the Makrolab, researchers study telecommunications, environment, migration and weather patterns. Peljhan sees these multiple-dynamic global systems as the source of understanding how our planet functions on social, technological and natural levels.

The project as it is envisioned now will end in 2007, when Makrolab mark IV is planned to be installed in the Antarctic, where it will serve as a permanent independent art-science station for research. 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.

Makrolab is managed by Projekt Atol. The Arts Catalyst worked with Projekt Atol to realise Makrolab in Scotland in 2002, and also collaborated on Makrolab in Venice in 2003. The Arts Catalyst and Tramway co-published a book on the Makrolab Scotland project, which is available through Cornerhouse Publications - see below.

| MAKROLAB_SCOTLAND 2002 |
| MAKROLAB_VENICE 2003 |

Makrolab Book



During summer 2002 a crew of artists, scientists and media activists inhabited the Makrolab, a high-tech, nomadic sustainable laboratory, in the Scottish highlands. Diaries, pictures, plans, project documentation and materials.
Essay by Kodwo Eshu. Text by Makrolab's creator, Slovenian artist Marko Peljhan.
Published by The Arts Catalyst and Projekt Atol in association with Tramway, 2002.
Order from Cornerhouse Publications
Price £9.95
ISBN 0953454622