Hugo Pétigny is a French visual artist born in 1992, who graduated at the University of Lille, the Beaux-Arts of Tourcoing, and the Studio National des Arts Contemporains at Le Fresnoy. His work explores the control of energy and how […]
Hugo Pétigny is a French visual artist born in 1992, who graduated at the University of Lille, the Beaux-Arts of Tourcoing, and the Studio National des Arts Contemporains at Le Fresnoy. His work explores the control of energy and how art can enable its reappropriation. This research leads him to question the dynamics of electricity, ecology, social rhythms, and economics.
Through his works, the artist creates visual and cognitive experiences where the perception of time plays a central role. By disrupting the uniform and linear flow of digital time, they invite a synchronization with the living world. In a practice that constantly evolves in response to climate challenges, Pétigny is shifting towards approaches inspired by degrowth and low-tech solutions.
About the project
A Time Break is a photovoltaic film project that invites the viewer to reflect on the evolving relationship between work, time, and energy in the context of our contemporary world. The project is rooted in the idea of reducing productivity and, consequently, working hours, in response to the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Through this reflection, the work explores how social rhythms are transformed with the transition to renewable energy.
The film is directly connected to a solar panel, which adjusts its projection speed in real-time, allowing the viewer to observe how sunlight influences the rhythm of the narrative. It showcases the work of a company specializing in the surveillance of photovoltaic installations, ensuring continuous, 24/7 monitoring. In parallel, the work delves into the interactions of electric fish, known since ancient Egypt, and examines the rhythms of life of Berlin’s citizens.
“The aim of this project is to create a visual and temporal experience that examines how social rhythms evolve with the development of renewable energy.” The rhythm of the film constantly evolves, modulated in real-time by the intensity of sunlight, emphasizing the potential harmony between nature and technology. One of the project’s major challenges is the accessibility of electricity production sites, demonstrating that the utopia of green growth does not erase existing power dynamics. Inspired by the work of French philosopher Pascal Michon, the project draws on his study of rhythms and their impact on human experience. Additionally, it takes inspiration from free jazz, neo-noir films, and the Solar Punk movement, each contributing its own touch to a search for the future.
Photos: Galya Feierman
