Nathanson is the founder and lead designer of Solar Power for Artists, a design studio and education platform focused on making sustainable energy accessible, tactile, and understandable. As a solar power designer, he has created interactive and educational projects for The Climate Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, Solar One, and the NYC Department of Education, among others. Most recently, his book A History of Solar Power Art and Design was published by Routledge.
This talk will focus on the opportunities and challenges for creative expression with photovoltaic solar power. I’ll be discussing the history of this field and the various conceptual approaches that artists and designers have explored, which I documented in my recent book A History of Solar Power Art and Design. I’ll also be talking about the role of art and design in making the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy more accessible and equitable.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14th • 9:00AM • WALKER ART CENTER
This workshop will give participants insight into the possibilities and challenges for electronic art in the context of the climate crisis.
OVERVIEW
This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to creating solar powered electronic art. Over the course of this workshop, we will cover basic electronic knowledge, methods for upcycling solar cells, off-grid solar circuit design, and ways to incorporate photovoltaic solar power into kinetic, sound, and light art. We will also explore a variety of techniques for working with photovoltaic cells as sculptural material. Participants will build a solar powered art piece and have new insight into the challenges and possibilities of incorporating alternative energy into our daily lives through both practical and experimental uses.
SKILL LEVEL: Intro
WORKSHOP OUTLINE:
- Intro to creative applications of photovoltaic solar power
- Intro to soldering solar cells and building small kinetic solar bots.
- Design and build sound based solar powered artwork.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Pens/pencils & paper
• Bringing a computer may be helpful if you want to look at some of the additional web-based resources that be mentioned in the workshop.
SOFTWARE TO HAVE INSTALLED:
• None
REGISTRATION FEE: $329
MATERIALS FEE: $45
