A new perspective on solar energy
From September 9 through October 30, The Solar Movement presents The Solar Biennale, taking place in the Netherlands for the first time. The message is clear: to make the most of the sun’s power, we need to move beyond technocratic thinking. With The Solar Seminar, participatory SUNdays in the city, educational Solar Labs and an extensive main exhibition in collaboration with Het Nieuwe Instituut, the initiative of award-winning designers Marjan van Aubel and Pauline van Dongen explores the meaning and possibilities of solar energy. The Solar Biennale runs for seven weeks displaying a human and cultural panorama that aims to inspire and to provide space for wonder, design and imagination.
“A human and new perspective on solar energy is needed; away from just payback and efficiency. With The Solar Biennale we show that the power of design is needed to meaningfully integrating solar into our environment. We show a world where our sun is much more and more explicitly central.”— Pauline van Dongen and Marjan van Aubel (co-founders The Solar Biennale/The Solar Movement)
A new perspective on solar energy
The Solar Biennale looks at the broader scope of solar energy through five “lenses”, these alternative perspectives maneuver beyond efficiency in their own way: personal, social, environmental, spatial and digital/virtual. In cooperation with various partners, organizations and designers (such as Daan Roosegaarde, Diergaarde Blijdorp, Boijmans Van Beuningen, Next Nature Network and Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven), the program offers visitors critical yet accessible insights on change and on how we need to move towards a solar society before it’s too late. With the exhibition ‘The Energy Show – Sun, Solar and Human Power’ as a core component, Het Nieuwe Instituut is the main location of The Solar Biennale. The start marks the introduction of The Solar Movement: a widespread international network, an invitation, and a design manifesto, all under one umbrella.
Program
Book launch ‘Solar Futures’
On 8 September, The Solar Biennale and publishing house Jap Sam Books presented the book launch of ‘Solar Futures’, written by Marjan van Aubel. ‘Solar Futures’ illustrates what we need to know to transition from solar technology to solar design using everyday integrated aesthetic solutions.
The Circle
2 Sep—20 Oct, various locations | Rotterdam
The Circle, the symbol of The Solar Biennale, is a design by solar designer Marjan van Aubel. This five-meter high reflective sculpture is on view on different locations, traveling through Rotterdam alongside the activities of The Solar Biennale.
The Solar Seminar
9 Sep, Het Nieuwe Instituut | Rotterdam
The Solar Seminar will focus on the relationship between solar design and energy generation.
Exhibition ‘The Energy Show’
3 Sep—5 Mar 2023, Het Nieuwe Instituut | Rotterdam
The exhibition The Energy Show – Sun, Solar and Human Power’ revolves entirely around the sun and its design possibilities. It reflects on the visitors’ personal energy levels and features dozens of innovative examples of solar technology.
thesolarbiennale.com
hetnieuweinstituut.nl
marjanvanaubel.com
paulinevandongen.nl
Photography: Lindy Hengst, Tengbeh Kamara