Alexandre Dang’s Solar Flowers: exhibitions and conference
Belgian Pavilion, World Expo 2012
12 May–12 August 2012
100 Deokchungan-gil
Yeosu, South Korea 550-811
Singapore Art Museum
18 May–12 August 2012
European Commission in Brussels, Belgium
18 June–28 June 2012
Conference: Artworks Powered by Solar Energy
Wednesday, 20 June, 6pm
2, Rue Van Maerlant, Brussels
Speech by Alexandre Dang
www.alexandredang.com
www.solarsolidarity.org
About the artist
Alexandre Dang comes originally from a scientific background (engineer). Convinced of the need to raise awareness on sustainable development, he has developed his artistic creation, often incorporating solar energy as source into his kinetic art works.
Though the sun provides 10,000 times more energy to the earth than humans need, more than 1.7 billion people still do not have access to electricity. The pressing need to address this issue is the driving force of Alexandre Dang’s artistic commitment, where he combines scientific approach, environmental concern, and humanism.
Alexandre Dang has developed a pedagogic aspect to his art, using it to educate young people about the potential of eco-technologies with a focus on renewable energy.
He is co-founder of Solar Solidarity International, a non-profit international association, to raise awareness of the potential of renewable sources of energy and to support solar electrification of schools, maternities, orphanages, hospitals, etc. in the developing world.
The Dancing Solar Flowers have become an iconic work by the artist. They have toured around the world: USA, China, Singapore, Korea, Mexico, Lebanon, Morocco, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Romania, etc.
Current exhibitions
World Expo Yeosu 2012, Korea
World Expo Yeosu 2012, Korea, on the topic of “The Living Ocean and Coast” addresses sustainability for ocean and coast. Alexandre Dang presents, on the Belgian Pavilion, an installation titled the Dancing Solar Waves and Flowers, consisting of waves and aquatic flowers moving thanks to the energy of the light.
Singapore Art Museum: Art Garden 2012
In the frame of the exhibition Art Garden 2012 at the Singapore Art Museum, Alexandre Dang has filled in the façade of the Museum located at 8 Queen Street with a work titled Dancing Solar Flowers and Butterflies. The Dancing Solar Flowers at the façade interact with the light level during the day. In the early morning, the Dancing Solar Flowers and Butterflies quietly wake up from 7am till 9am. Between 10am and 4pm, they are moving at their maximum speed. Then, in the evening they slow down and even stop totally at night till the next morning. The installation also reacts during the day to the light level—the more light, the quicker the installation is moving. Hence, in the presence of heavy clouds the movement slows down and accelerates again when the clouds become thinner or disappear. The exhibition is organized by the Singapore Art Museum.
Brussels, European Commission (Berlaymont building)
At the European Commission in Brussels (Berlaymont building), Alexandre Dang presents Field of Turning Sunflowers to celebrate 2012, International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and to highlight “Rio + 20” (20–22 June 2012). This exhibition will also emphasize the European Union Sustainable Energy Week (18–22 June 2012). The Turning Sunflowers will be turning around themselves in relation to the light level—the more light, the quicker the sunflowers will be turning.
Read more here.
The Dancing Solar Flowers will be part of the project Postcards to Rio 2012, exhibited at the Photo Hall on the premises of the “Rio+20″ Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 20 till 22 June.
Conference
Artworks Powered by Solar Energy
A conference, Artworks Powered by Solar Energy, organized by Solar Solidarity and the Solar Artworks Project will feature solar artists Alexandre Dang, Drzach & Suchy, Mathias Gmachl (Studio Loop.pH), and solar art historian Nacho Zamora on Wednesday, 20 June, at 6pm in Brussels. This conference is free and takes place in the frame of the European Union Sustainable Energy Week.
Read more here.
Videos
Les Myosotis Solaires Dansants
World exhibition Shanghai 2010, Belgian Pavilion
Champ de Tournesols Solaires Dansants
*Image above:
Alexandre Dang, Field of Turning Sunflowers, European Commission (Berlaymont Building – Brussels), 18–28 June 2012. © www.alexandredang.com. Courtesy www.solarsolidarity.org.
