Art project using St. Paul vapor plume enters 2nd phase

The project uses the steam from the power plant.
The Plume Project uses the steam plume from the District Energy St Paul plant on the edge of downtown because it is so visible from so many places.
Euan Kerrr | MPR News file

The Plume Project, an effort that uses colored lights to create art on the vapor cloud from the St. Paul district energy plant, is entering its second phase.

As of Tuesday evening, artist Aaron Dysart will use data from monitors trained on different parts of the sun for a project he calls "Solar Systems."

"And those nine spots on the sun correlate to the night lights on the plume," he said. "So as the surface of the sun changes — whether there is a flare or a sunspot — that will directly correlate with the color and intensity on the plume."

Meanwhile, submissions of pictures and videos are now being accepted for the third Plume Project. Selected images will be projected on the plume during the Winter Carnival in January.

Artist Asia Ward will prepare the images for display using a high-powered projector. The pictures will take on a new form because of the nature of the cloud, Ward said.

"It's not just a flat surface, it's a three-dimensional space," she explained. "So the image takes on an almost three-dimensional quality ... because it's projected on a cloud that ebbs and flows and moves."

Members of the public can submit pictures and videos through the Plume Project website. Those whose submissions are accepted will be told when they can see the projected versions.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.