Matt Birnbaum '12

Readers who are familiar with the “Cow Parade” popular in various cities worldwide will be able to picture Matt Birnbaum’s ’12 ultimate goal — large-scale artistic turbines scattered around the Vermont country-side. The Campus’ Joanna Rothkopf sat down with the Old Stone Mill tenant and learned about his awareness-raising project.

Middlebury Campus: Can you talk a little bit about your project?

Matt Birnbaum: Essentially, the project aims to educate and influence public opinion concerning large-scale wind energy development in Vermont. Currently, Governor [Jim] Douglas’ [’72] administration has a ban on windpower development on public lands (where the best sources for development exist) because he believes it will harm tourism. In addition, public opinion in Vermont is very anti-wind because some extremely vocal Vermonters believe it is ugly and unnatural. This has huge implications for private development projects as well because Vermont’s zoning/development process is highly democratized. By using large installation art, we hope to redirect this negative perception and show that “wind is beautiful.”

MC: Who else is on the team? How did this idea come about?

MB: The idea was actually developed by a team of Sunday Night Group (SNG) students when we were applying for a project grant from the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative. As far as I know, we have yet to hear back from them. I thought the idea was great and decided to tap into it myself. As of now I’m working with VACA and have gotten support from the SGA Environmental Committee. We are contacting local artists from around Vermont to individualize the turbine sculptures, similar to Cow Parade that went on around the world.

MC: What have you done so far?

MB: I’ve been in contact with manufacturing companies and artist coalitions and am starting to contact placement sites around the state for showing. The project will hopefully be revolving and move around major population centers in Vermont towns where they will be visible. Look for them to appear in Middlebury first starting in early spring.

MC: Have you gotten any support or feedback so far?

MB: Yes! The SGA and environmental affairs committee are very supportive and everyone I have spoken is excited.

MC: What is your production schedule?

MB: I work on it mostly in the evenings and late at night[...] I’m really bad at scheduling myself. I have a space at the Old Stone Mill so I’ve been working on it there.

MC: How have communities received your proposals?

MB: I have to finish the turbines first before I take that next step. I have been in touch with officials in Burlington and they’ve been really receptive. I’ve also recently reached out to the city of Montpelier. I would love get these placed right in the center of these cities and to have these things right in the lawmakers’ faces, so hopefully the project will speak to them as well.

MC: Will you be doing any additional awareness campaigns alongside the installations?

MB: The campaign will come afterward. Next to every turbine we’re creating an information panel and then a dropbox to submit your input or opinions. Hopefully, those responses will be helpful and we’ll compile those responses and submit them to the various administrations. I’m really looking forward to getting feedback from the community and people who want to help out! Everyone should feel free to email me with questions or comments: mbirnbau@middlebury.edu