European Union 
Sustainable Energy 
Week 2012


Title: "Artworks Powered by Solar Energy: sustainable solutions within the urban landscape"


This panel conference will be a unique opportunity to talk about works of solar art, with international references likeAlexandre Dang, Drzach Suchy and Mathias Gmachl(Loop.pH).


More info here: http://bit.ly/HcpIeP
Registration open:  http://bit.ly/HclVtv


See you in Brussels next month!

Joya: arte + ecología award spring 2012

- Luz: Light reactions -

Nacho Zamora, member of the selection committee of this award.

"Joya: arte + ecología is interested in receiving proposals for multimedia work that evidences light dependent reactions upon the environment.
The submission should be specific to the alpine desert climate of Almería, Andalucía, which is a microcosm for the effects of desertification within Europe. Projects should aim to utilise the abundance of naturally occuring materials at Joya: arte + ecología within the Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez as well as the physical landscape.
Proposals must substantiate the effects of light, either positively, or negatively, upon ecology systems and consequently highlight the ramifications of climate change to the rest of the EU."

>>> Read more

First month in Dubai

After 30 days living in Dubai I have many different and contradictory sensations. I think I feel like this because this is what is Dubai: a contradictory city. 

Almost all the things that I read before coming was not as I have tested being here. Bad things are not as bad... and good things are not as good. There are several words that I must use everyday to define what I am looking: “huge”, “amazing”, “paradoxical” and “disappointing”.

Huge:
Everything is huge. Everything has been designed to be the greatest, the number one. The best example is the Burj Khalifa: the tallest human structure ever (830 m). This way of thinking could be one of the bests arguments for promoting the creation of works of solar art in this city. Dubai could become a pioneer city in creating a public art series of eco-friendly public art installations, giving people an artistic experience and a public function.





Amazing:
The vision of the buildings since, for example, the Dubai Metro is completely amazing. This city seems not to be real. You are continuously watching a full screen with a science fiction movie.
In my opinion, this futuristic ambient is the perfect environment to develop works of solar art.




Paradoxical:
I don’t know how many cities in the world have the same sunlight exposure during all year than Dubai. Obviously, this city has grown thanks to the fossil resources... However, it seems that the Emirate of Dubai has not a great oil reserves for the future. Why the local government doesn't go a step beyond with a strong investment in renewable resources like solar power?
Works of solar art could be the best illustration of this new insight of Dubai. If a change like this could be possible, I am sure that Dubai would be the right place to do it.



Disappointing:
Dubai has been designed for cars, not for pedestrians, this is a fact. It is true that in summer time is almost impossible to walk the streets but, as I have mentioned before, in Dubai everything is possible.
Public art is unnoticed in Dubai, just a few works, but there is not a real public art program that humanizes the raw vertical architecture.
There is one more reason to think that works of solar art could be an excellent complement for urban landscape.


These firsts conclusions encourage me to try to spread this kind of art as a clever solution for this city. It has been hard to contact with the appropriate people, because everyone looks for itself, which is normal in this crazy place, and distrust seems a common feeling in relationships.

Let’s keep on trying.
Nacho Zamora.


> More pictures of Dubai on http://nachozamoracaptures.blogspot.com/

Entrevista para Drinksmotion

>>> Ir al sitio web / entrevista

Article on Green Prophet, by Tafline Laylin.

"An independent researcher from Spain and a specialist in indexing and researching solar artwork, Nacho Zamora has recently traveled to Dubai in order to convince the municipality and Green Building Council to fill up these spaces with public art projects that also produce energy."

> Read full article.

Forum

> The aim of this section is sharing points of view about works of solar art. Each month there is a new topic to talk about, please be welcome to participate.

Perhaps public art is one of the last fields where artists can say something really new. However, the main character today in the vanguard urban spaces are the new tendencies in architecture and landscape design.
What’s the future of public art? Have the same objective a public artwork today than in the 70’s?
Let’s develop concepts that allow art taking an active part in citizens life. Let’s hybridize public art! 

Please, send your opinion  to this email, and we will post as soon as possible your comment. Thank you.

> Go to Forum.