Schedule: Made from Light
Renewable energy is considered to be a recent technological development, but in fact it has a long history. For centuries the possibility of harnessing the power of the sun has inspired scientists, engineers, writers and artists alike. The future of energy production and our environment will not only be shaped by science and technology: the arts and humanities also have a role to play in influencing our behaviour and imagination. Tate Exchange invites you to be part of that creative conversation, with a week-long programme on the art, science and history of renewable energy curated by researchers from the University of Liverpool. Discover the latest research, enjoy the work of artists such as Martin Rowson and Simon Logan, and join in the debate about humanity's relationship with energy. Scroll Down for a list of workshops, talks and performances.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
RUNNING ALL WEEK from the 11-17 June - Made from Light: The Art and Science of Renewable Energy
Curators and writers will be in the gallery all week running creative activities for children and adults; all are welcome. Don't miss the evolving energy soundscape that will be constructed over the course of the week and performed over the weekend.
Booking for talks and workshops is not essential; Drop-ins permitted throughout the week. However, we do ask you to register your interest if possible to make sure we have enough materials and seats.
TUESDAY 12TH
Workshops
11-1 and 3-5: Energy Anxieties - Creative Writing Workshops. Come at any point.
Talks from 2:00 - NUCLEAR CULTURES
Nuclear Renewable?
Jonathan Hogg asks to what extent can we think of nuclear energy as clean, green and renewable?
Atoms for Peace
Harry Roberts talk examines how peaceful uses of the atom in the twentieth century were imagined and represented.
Seen and unseen - Nuclear power in the landscape
You can't hide a nuclear power station, but you can try. You can't see, taste or smell radiation, so how do you know it's there? Writer Phillippa Holloway investigates.
WEDNESDAY 13th
Extra Exhibit
11-5: Solar Doll's House: Join researchers from the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, who will demonstrate their scale model of a solar-powered living. The exhibit features not only a doll's house but also a toy car and construction site - all powered by solar energy! Hands-on molecular models and related colouring-in activities available. All welcome; no need to book.
2:OO Talk - THE ART OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
As humanity transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy such as solar power, it is important that science keeps exploring new and better materials to help us limit climate change. This talk by Laurie Phillips from the Stephenson Institute of Rewnewable Energy will showcase some of the research going on in the photovoltaics group here in Liverpool.
THURSDAY 14TH
Workshop
11-1 and 3-5: Past, Present and Future Energies - Creative Writing Workshops. Come at any point.
Talks from 2:00 - WELCOME TO THE ANTHROPOCENE
Art and the Nuclear Anthropocene.
Curator and writer Ele Carpenter reflects on the relation of art and nuclear culture at a moment when the Nuclear industry is undergoing a process of decommissioning and waste management.
The Art of the Anthropocene
Using examples from the visiual arts and literature, Sam Solnick will explore how the arts are beginning to respond to a strange new world where the impact of human technologies, not least those related to the energy sector, means that there might be no such thing as Nature anymore.
FRIDAY 15TH
Talks from 2:00 - BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
Ceramics and Light: possibilities and innovations for sustainable architectural technologies
Rosa Urbano Gutierrez will present ECAlab's (Environmental Ceramics for Architecture Laboratory) latest collaborative work exploring the possibilities of ceramics for sustainable technologies, while examining the role of emerging digital technologies alongside traditional ceramic craftsmanship skills.
Zero Carbon business benefits
Join Liverpool University researcher Tom Johnston to discover the potential of commercial businesses, particularly tourist attractions, as versatile tools for raising awareness of current environmental issues, as well as educating society on how simple changes in human behaviour may combat them.
Creating zero energy homes of the future
Stephen Finnegan will explore how new types of insulated houses are built, why they have become so energy efficient and the ways in which we assess the holistic environmental impact.
4:00 Performance - Energy Soundscape from Ralos & Slaro
Turning light into sound, and sound into light, this collaboration between artist Simon Logan and the University of Liverpool’s Literature & Science Hub will capture and digitally transform the week’s activities into an audio-visual performance. WARNING: flashing lights are used during this performance.
SATURDAY 16TH
Extra Exhibit
11-2: Solar Doll's house: Join researchers from the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, who will demonstrate their scale model of a solar-powered living. The exhibit features not only a doll's house but also a toy car and construction site - all powered by solar energy! Hands-on molecular models and related colouring-in activities available. All welcome; no need to book.
Workshops
11-1 and 3-5: Past, Present and Future Energies - Creative Writing Workshops. Come at any point.
Talks from 2:00 - MADE FROM LIGHT
Solar energy: past, present and future
This talk from experimental physicist Jon Major will look at the key issues around modern solar cells, how they operate, what are their strengths and weaknesses, what will the future hold for solar energy and can it ever truly compete with fossil fuels?
Solar Power in art, history and literature
Greg Lynall explores the history of solar power technologies, including their place in art and literature, from seventeenth-century love poetry to the death-rays of science fiction. He will show how debates about sustainability and renewable energy have been raging for centuries, and have been important within the history of science and culture.
4:00 Performance - Energy Soundscape from Ralos & Slaro
Turning light into sound, and sound into light, this collaboration between artist Simon Logan and the University of Liverpool’s Literature & Science Hub will capture and digitally transform the week’s activities into an audio-visual performance. WARNING: flashing lights are used during this performance.
SUNDAY 17TH
Workshops
10-11 and 1-2: Past, Present and Future Energies - Creative Writing Workshops.
Talks from 11 - FUELLING THE FUTURE
Energy from Waste
Starting with a discussion of the Cygnus Atratus multi-fuel cell, which can run on bio-ethanol, hydrogen or ammonia, this talk from Luke Evans will generate a discussion around bio fuels, our concept of waste, small scale vs large scale power plants and energy distribution.
Electric Vehicles
Yihua Hu discusses one of the most important areas for energy use in the future.
2:00 Performance - Energy Soundscape from Ralos & Slaro
Turning light into sound, and sound into light, this collaboration between artist Simon Logan and the University of Liverpool’s Literature & Science Hub will capture and digitally transform the week’s activities into an audio-visual performance. WARNING: flashing lights are used during this performance.