John Gerrard, Solar Reserve (Tonopah, Nevada) (2014).
Photo: Courtesy Lincoln Center.

Actor and superstar collector Leonardo DiCaprio has announced plans to donate Solar Reserve (Tonopah, Nevada), a massive installation by John Gerrard, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), according to the Art Newspaper.

The moving image installation seeks to raise awareness about climate change using a simulated landscape that registers computer-generated images of the tower at a solar thermal power plant in Nevada. Ten thousand mirrors are employed around the “solar thermal power tower” to form a thermal battery. Every day, the installation reflects the orbits of the sun and moon, as they would appear in Nevada, according to the press release.

In this monumental work, Gerard used 3D technology to simulate the Nevada site down to the smallest detail (see John Gerrard’s Chilling View of Solar Heat).

Leonardo DiCaprio.

The artist has created five editions of the work as well as two artist’s proofs. Solar Reserve was last installed outside Lincoln Center in 2014 in association with the Public Art Fund, and will be shown at Art Basel’s Unlimited section next week, thanks to London gallerist Thomas Dane. Whether or not Leo himself will make an appearance in Basel remains to be seen (see Leonardo DiCaprio, Mike Myers, Grace Celebrity VIP Frieze New York Preview).

DiCaprio has a long history with LACMA, having co-hosted their annual film gala for the past four years. He’s also been a longtime advocate for climate change awareness and founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to raise funds for environmental issues.

Artist research material for John Gerrard Solar’s Reserve Tonopah, Nevada) (2014).
Photo: SolarReserve.