An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn

Cypress College Art Gallery | March 6 – April 18, 2025 | Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and by appointment | Opening reception March 6, 6-8 p.m.

In 1988, before the Internet was born, artist Tom Van Sant envisioned an interactive ‘live’ Earth model that could help save our planet. So, working at technology’s outermost reaches, he and his scientist-collaborators created the groundbreaking GeoSphere Project. Over the next two decades, the Project was installed on five continents, fundamentally influenced U.S. policy, demonstrated a post-Cold War environmental function for military technology, generated one of the world’s most reproduced images, and paved the way for Google Earth.

Today, the race is on to make a 21st-century version of the Geosphere Project. When they’re fully realized, “Earth Systems Digital Twins” will act like their sibling to inform our responses to climate change. As Van Sant anticipated, ‘live’ Earth models may yet save the world.

By placing the Geosphere Project in context with Tom Van Sant’s trajectory and influences, An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn throws a much-deserved spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of a visionary artist.

Curated by Janet Owen Driggs and designed by Lara Hoad with Andrew Byrom, An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn was produced by the 18th Street Art Center, Otis College of Art and Design, and Cypress College Art Gallery. It was originally presented at the 18th St. Art Center with PST ART: Art & Science Collide and DNA Festival Santa Monica.

* Dr. Oscar Janiger