A recap of 12 Hours of Power

The 2009 edition of Nuit Blanche did not start off fortuitously. Shortly after setting up 12 Hours of Power in Berczy Park, a thunderstorm hit Toronto, drenching the entire project and blowing one of the lights into the fountain. One of the inverter batteries also went up, literally, in smoke when it was turned on after the storm. It made me think enviously of all the Nuit Blanche exhibitions that took place indoors.

By 7:30pm, the rain had stopped and a steady flow of people came to participate in 12 Hours of Power. Sometimes, attendees had to be coaxed onto the bike; a few insisted on remaining spectators. Fortunately, the majority of the visitors jumped onto the bikes without reservation and got very excited about powering their light bulb or water spout. It was interesting to hear participants express a preference for either the light bulb, which directly reflected the amount of pedaling effort, or the fountain, which required less effort for more spectacular results.

A small portion of attendees were vocal about their disappointment in the project. They had expected a more spectacular display and were put off by the lackluster light that their efforts generated. To those detractors, I would point out that a muted fountain display was pretty much guaranteed and part of the message. Berczy Park fountain requires great amounts of electricity to maintain and only a park full of pedal generators could have recreated the display that Torontonians are used to.

Attendees who got the project's message were very supportive of increased environmental awareness. A few actually proposed making the project a permanent fixture at Berczy Park so that the fountain need never be a wasteful display again. It was not an idea that ever occurred to me but I was impressed with their zeal.

The crowds pretty much petered off at 3am and the attendance was sporadic thereafter. This was preferable to my fear that we would be inundated by crowds of rowdy drunks coming from the clubs and bars that descended on previous Nuit Blanche events after 2am.

My experience as an exhibitor with Nuit Blanche was a very exciting but satisfying experience. After planning over the last nine months, it was great to finally see my ideas in action and the reaction of the public - good and bad.

Desktop image: 12 Hours of Power was great!

I am extremely happy with the execution and feedback for 12 Hours of Power. Thank you to everyone who participated but special gratitude goes out to Jessica Chow, the Live Green Toronto staff and volunteers, Jon Levy, Sophia Wang, Raymond Chow and Joe Sinbandhit. Anecdotal details to follow when I am more collected and coherent.

12 Hours of Power on Torontoist

Torontoist has featured 12 Hours of Power in "Your Nuit Blanche 2009 Guide". Thanks, Torontoist! As they mention, spandex biking shorts are not required, but will be admired by volunteers and attendees alike.

From one blog to another

Corina of BlogTO decided to include 12 Hours of Power in her Nuit Blanche 2009 Guide of top picks. Thanks, Corina! I really hope the project does not disappoint, though a disappointing result is one of the points of the piece.

See you at Berczy Park on October 3

With less than a week before Nuit Blanche takes place, there is still time for a last minute emergency. For now, the pedal generators are ready, the Toronto Environmental Volunteers are pumped and I am already losing sleep from anticipation.

Please come out to Berczy Park, 35 Wellington St. East, anytime between 6:55pm on October 3 and 7:00am on October 4.

If you like what you see or experience, please vote for 12 Hours of Power in the People's Choice competition, until October 9. The project code number is 'B 22'.

See you there!

Give it up for Live Green Toronto

With 15 days to go before Nuit Blanche, I am still busily preparing for the event, but I am confident that 12 Hours of Power will be in effect on October 3.

At this point, I would like to thank my sponsor, Live Green Toronto. One could not ask for a more respectful and accommodating financial backer. However, their assistance has not been solely monetary; the organization has shared their other resources with me, providing contacts that helped make the hunt for equipment easier. Most importantly, their volunteers will be the shadowy figures beside each pedal generator, helping to make the magic happen on the night of the event.

Visit their website, www.livegreentoronto.ca, a one-stop resource for more environmentally conscious living.

Desktop image: 12 Hours of Power

The pedal generators have finally arrived! With just over a month before Nuit Blanche, I am starting to feel optimistic about 12 Hours of Power.

I have started a Facebook event page, in an attempt to spread the word about 12 Hours of Power. My sponsor, Live Green Toronto, will also help with promotion in the coming month. A public shaming is pretty much guaranteed at this point so I am now fully committed to the endeavor.

The latest 'desktop image' is a mock up of 12 Hours of Power as requested by Nuit Blanche organizers for media purposes. The cyclist is someone I photographed at University and College during the first Nuit Blanche back in 2006. I hope he feels flattered, and not litigious, by the use of his image.

Be still my heart

After some delay due to miscommunication, it looks like my Independent Project proposal for Nuit Blanche 2009, 12 Hours of Power, has been accepted. I had wondered, prior to submitting my application, whether I would be happier if my proposal was successful or not. At this point, I would have to say, "Check back with me on October 3."

Starting after a month's delay, I am suffering the nervous energy of being under the gun to get the project started. I need to:

• secure and confirm my project's venue
• find an electrician
• start building a prototype pedal generator

Updates on the progress of 12 Hours of Power and the accompanying hang-wringing to come.