Stunning Domes At London’s King’s Cross Are Ghastly On The Inside
Image via King’s Cross
You’ve probably seen these beautiful pods in pictures; in the age of COVID-19, such units have served as dining and gathering options that safely keep users in a bubble while introducing a sense of wonder with their igloo-like appearances. Unfortunately, the five intimate enclosures newly installed at King’s Cross in London aren’t ideal for catching up with loved ones.
And yet, they sum up the everyday experience of some of the world’s population. Guests will, quite literally, get a whiff of it at Granary Square, where the daunting Pollution Pods will stay up through October 24.
Designed by visual artist Michael Pinsky, the installation recreates the climatic conditions—including air quality, temperature, and smell—of five different locations from across the globe, in hopes that art would move people into taking action for the planet. King’s Cross details that the geodesic domes have lured in over 30,000 visitors amid their travels around the world.
Guests are most likely to overstay their welcome in the simulation of Tautra, a lush Norwegian island where the air is “truly clean.” But it gets more uncomfortable from there—‘London’ strikes you with odors of combusted diesel and tar; the stench of burning wood (AKA sulphur) permeates the winter climate of ‘Beijing’; humid ‘São Paulo’ makes your eyes water with its heady, vinegary smell of ethanol; and ‘New Delhi’ drags you into the thick of the “worst air pollution in the world” with its humidity and smog.
The pods are interconnected, inviting visitors to see, feel, smell, and even taste changes in the air, as well as experience a snapshot of what the outdoors are like in certain parts of the world.
Thankfully, the trip goes full circle and ends where it started—the ‘Tautra’ pod—where visitors would unanimously agree the air is much better. But here’s a secret: the air is just London air with all the potentially harmful gases extracted, Time Out London reports.
After their stay at King’s Cross, the Pollution Pods will venture out to other cities before taking up residence at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.
[via Time Out London, images via King’s Cross]
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