No, the Photo Does Not Show Human-Shaped Transmission Towers Across Iceland
The Claim
The photo shows human-shaped electricity pylons across Iceland.
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Emerging story
Facebook and Twitter accounts have recently shared a photo they claimed showed human-shaped transmission towers transmitting electricity across Iceland.
Description: The screenshot shows the claim that recently resurfaced on Facebook.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team investigated the claim recently circulated on Twitter and Facebook and found it misleading. The photo does not show actual human-shaped utility poles transmitting electricity across Iceland. Rather, they are conceptual designs made under a project called Tierra de Gigantes (or Land of Giants). The project aims to transform “mundane” electricity pylons into iconic transmission towers to transform the Icelandic landscape. The designs were made by architects Jin Choi and Thomas Shine.
Photographer Pedro Navarro took the photo of the transmission towers’ design for the website Metalocus during the prize-awarding ceremony held at the Boston Society Architects in June 2010. The architects won a prize from the BSA for the Architecture Without Building competition. The photo was shared on Aug. 15, 2010, on the website Metalocus.
The same project was also included in a 2008 competition in Iceland for high voltage electric poles and won its prize. The project was not implemented at the time due to the economic recession, which also affected Iceland. However, the team designing the project was awarded a patent for it.
Description: The screenshot is taken from a news article published on the NTV website.
CHOI+SHINE ARCHITECTS is an “internationally awarded art and design studio established by Jin Choi and Thomas Shine.” Their work has featured in many galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Science and Technology in Canada and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
