The Millennium Camera, conceived by experimental philosopher Jonathon Keats, is an ambitious art/science project aiming to capture an extraordinarily long-exposure photo of the Arizona desert, spanning 1,000 years. The pinhole camera, resembling the first invented a millennium ago, uses a copper cylinder with a gold sheet and rose madder-coated light-sensitive surface. Positioned towards Tucson, the controlled light exposure will create a photo revealing changes over time. Keats envisions mountains persisting clearly, while transient elements like buildings appear ghostly. Despite uncertainties, including natural disasters or human interference, the project prompts reflection on the future. Installed near a hiking trail on Tumamoc Hill, it encourages present observers to contemplate both the past and potential future landscapes. Keats plans additional Millennium Cameras in various locations, fostering awareness and a sense of responsibility towards shaping the future.
