The distance between the desire, the desired and the ones desiring …
Only a foot of sand mediated by seagulls…

Cooling Reactors is a conceptual performative piece, which takes place as an intervention on Cherry Beach situated on Lake Ontario, which is home to three nuclear generators. Currently, the Ontario Power Generation company has proposed to build two more in the coming years. This video makes references to nuclear accidents that have happened in the past as well as the potential for a greater catastrophe. Thermal pollution, warm wastewater released from the plants, as well as radioactive and heavy metal contaminations have been a problem over the years. On the other hand, residents who live near the lake use it recreationally disregarding the environmental concerns surrounding the lake. Ironically, the word Ontario comes from the Wyandot (Huron) language meaning “Lake of Shining Waters”.

This video also makes reference to global, ecological and political issues that force people to leave their homeland looking for a better future in the first world. This is evident while Wetbacks, from Mexico, attempt to cross the US border in the hopes of a better future. Often, these people end up risking their lives and appearing dead on the other side, washed up along the shore.

Cooling Reactors was selected as one of the top 10 videos for Letters from the Sky Festival (Experimental Films on Climate Change) winning the Green Conscience Award in November 2011, in South Africa.

with:
Marvin Antonio
Aaron Strong
Guinevere Pura
Alejandro Higuera
Michael symons