Solana Bulteel

A hand on the pulse, a foot in the fire is a kinetic sculpture that responds to climate anxiety and the paradox of agency in the face of ecological collapse. Motivated by the emotional toll placed on Gen Z to act within unsustainable systems, the work critiques how responsibility is displaced onto individuals while those in power remain unaccountable. Powered by a linear actuator, the sculpture uses climate discourse data from the last five years pulled from news APIs to control its movement—accelerating with increased media attention and slowing as discussion fades. This motion physically mirrors rising collective anxiety, highlighting the disconnect between awareness and action. Suspended from the ceiling and accompanied by a screen flashing live news headlines, the piece invites reflection on emotional burnout, performative discourse, and the urgent need for systemic change. The title, drawn from the idiom “a foot in the fire,” reinforces the demand to hold power structures accountable while living in constant awareness of crisis.