Latest News
A new wave of green energy created with the help of Fab Lab Plymouth
Thursday, 14 March, 2019 — Think you know solar panels? Head to Kaleider Studios in Exeter this Saturday for the unveiling of some incredible new solar panel art pieces, created by Art and Energy CIC with the help of the team at Fab Lab Plymouth, as part of The Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab project.
<h5><a href="https://artandenergy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art and Energy CIC</a> is a pioneering artist-led energy company who are working to reimagine solar panel technology as an art material for the future, not only opening possibilities for new cultural exchange, but creatively responding to the climate emergency.</h5>
<p>Since being launched in January 2018 by Chloe Uden, who was soon joined by long-time collaborator Naomi Wright, <a href="https://artandenergy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art and Energy</a> have been exploring the aesthetic versatility of solar photo voltaic technology, and have developed a craftivist approach to generating green energy, the results of which <a href="http://artandenergy.org/art-and-energys-first-public-display-of-solar-panel-artworks-at-mikro-fest-in-exeter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">will be launched in Exeter this weekend</a>.<br /></p>
<p>Art and Energy have accessed support from Fab Lab Plymouth as part of the <a href="https://www.impactlab.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab</a>, £6.4 million project, part-funded by a £3.4 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund. The Impact Lab brings together seven world-class Devon-based organisations – Plymouth College of Art, the University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of Exeter, Exeter City Futures, the Met Office, and Rothamsted Research.</p>
<p>Over the last year or so, Art and Energy have worked with a host of creative and technical specialists from across the South West and beyond, including master glassmaker and CAD CAM specialist Ian Hankey at <a href="https://fablabplymouth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fab Lab Plymouth</a>, here at Plymouth College of Art, as well The University of Exeter, LaserCutz in Honiton, and The RSA in London.</p>
<p>Since the summer of 2018, Art and Energy have also worked with <a href="https://cms.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-illustration/">Jenny Ayrton</a>, a Plymouth College of Art graduate and glass artist. Jenny officially joined the Art and Energy team in February 2019. She specialises in sand and kiln cast glass, etching and engraving.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The unique solar panels that Art and Energy have developed will be on display for the first time ever this Saturday (16 March) from 10am - 4pm at Kaleider Studios in Exeter, as part of Mikro Fest, an event to celebrate the launch of the new Kaleider studios.<br /><br /><a href="https://kaleider.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaleider</a> is a production studio based in Exeter, who work on installations, live performance and digital productions to create meaningful experiences. They also host and support a collaborative resident community of creatives and companies, with the aim of bringing people together to respond creatively to some of the greatest challenges of our time.</p>
<p>Art and Energy founder Chloe Uden first presented the idea for solar panel artworks to Kaleider residents at one of their Lunchtime Talks in January 2018, and it was with the feedback and guidance of those in attendance that the idea took root.<br /><br /><strong>What: </strong>Art and Energy - Unveiling Solar Panel Artworks<br /><strong>When: </strong>Saturday 16 March, 12pm - 6pm<br /><strong>Where:</strong> <a href="https://kaleider.com/mikrofest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mikrofest</a> at Kaleider Studios, 45 Preston Street, Exeter, EX1 1DF</p>
