Ilkka Paloniemi AC AIR, 2025

AC AIR is an animated neon sign that draws inspiration from americana, echoing the iconic aesthetics of vintage motel and roadhouse advertising signs. With its nostalgic design, it captures a dialogue between a yearning for the past and the harsh realities of the present climate change.

Through the metaphor of blinking neon lights, the artwork delves into the theme of our mindless consumption. It portrays a dark narrative: as the planet warms, the demand for cooling rises, which paradoxically generates even more heat. This vicious cycle, driven by our own actions, underscores a growing environmental and climate crisis. The message is clear and urgent, as the consequences of this cycle are becoming increasingly evident in the world around us.

americana = represents 20th-century American life and its cultural symbols, such as flashing neon lights along highways and jukeboxes