On 23 march until 1° september 2024 at Vitra Design Museum on Weil am Rheim the exhibition Transform! Designing the Future of Energy. Curator: Jochen Eisenbrand and Vitra Design Museum.
Energy is the main driving force of our society; energy is political, energy is invisible, energy is omnipresent. All of the buildings, infrastructure and products related to the generation, distribution and utilization of energy are created by human beings. Consequently, design plays a key role in the current transition to renewable energy. The exhibition »Transform! Designing the Future of Energy« shines a light on the transformation of the energy sector from the perspective of design: from everyday products that use renewable energy to the design of solar houses and wind power stations; from smart mobility systems to futuristic visions of self-sufficient cities. What are the criteria for designing an energy-efficient product? How can design contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources? How can industry, government policies and every one of us help to achieve the transition to a sustainable future?
The elimination of fossil fuels must be pursued with urgency in order to reduce global carbon emissions and stop climate change. Just as the dependency on fossil fuels has influenced even the smallest details of our daily lives, the progressive shift to renewable energy sources will have a corresponding effect on our future. This is where design comes into play, as it is necessary to give form and shape to the new age of sustainable energy. Therefore Design needs to mediate between scientific research and end users. It identifies how innovative technologies can be utilized and it is often the decisive factor in whether new solutions are ultimately accepted or rejected by consumers. The exhibition »Transform! Designing the Future of Energy« starts with a focus on human beings and our bodies, and then widens the view to examine our everyday objects, our cities and the entire energy landscape. The displays will include examples of innovative and experimental product design, speculative design projects, films, architectural archetypes and visionary future concepts.
After its initial presentation at the Vitra Design Museum, the exhibition will tour to further international venues. An accompanying publication features around 100 projects from the fields of design, architecture and urban planning that represent pioneering approaches to the topic of energy. The book is illustrated with some 200 images and includes essays by Catharine Rossi, Stephan Rammler, Ivan Illich, Daniel A. Barber, Donatella Germanese and Carola Hein.
Hashtag: #VDMTransform
Web: www.design-museum.de
