Radical Compromise

Concept

Radical Compromise is a 360° dome projection film, created as a part of the 2020 Signal Festival. The film deals with the issues of the European energy sector in the context of the global environmental crisis by taking a closer look at the fossil fuel and mineral extraction industry. The primary focus is on brown coal, extracted in large open-pit mines in the northern part of the Czech Republic.

Technical

The film comments on the situation through a visual abstraction created by a blend of mediums varying from photogrammetry, aerial imaging, electron microscope scans, to digital 3D manipulation. The music is reproduced on a seven-channel surround sound setup and is accompanied by field recordings.

About the project

The use of natural resources has brought about a period of global growth. Nevertheless, the Anthropocene has had a negative impact. Due to the polarization of opinions in our society, dependence on fossil resources remains substantial. The change of attitude is slow. Urgent and radical solutions are needed but can give rise to long-term deficiencies. Should any change occur and remain effective in the long run, we must collectively consider all its socio-economic and environmental dependencies, but most importantly, start to act. We need a radical compromise.

About the artists

Radical Compromise was created by the joint efforts of Daniel Červenka, Signal Productions, and Planetum (Planeratium Praha). It is the collective work of Daniel Červenka, a multidisciplinary producer, Marek Šilpoch, a curator of Signal Festival and light artist, Oliver Torr, music composer and artist, Pavel Karafiát, a digital artist and Martin Fuchs, chief dramaturg of Planetarium Praha, producer and artist. The issue of surface mines and their restoration has been consulted with environmental economist Tomáš Baďura. Big thanks also go to Dominik Červenka who participated in the creation of the film.

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