Alex Nathanson Lecture
Alex Nathanson will discuss the importance of art and design in the energy transition. He will share his past projects, discuss the history of the field, the design methods he employs in his work, and the social and political need to design for and with communities in the context of the climate crisis.
About Alex Nathanson
Alex Nathanson is a designer, technologist, artist, and educator. His work is primarily focused on exploring both the experimental and practical applications of sustainable energy technologies. He is the founder and lead designer of the education and art platform Solar Power for Artists and its partner studio, Energy Transition Design LLC. The mission of both organizations is to make sustainable energy accessible, tactile, and understandable. As a solar power designer, he has created interactive and educational projects for the Climate Museum, Solar One, and the NYC Department of Education. In collaboration with Tega Brain and Bennedetta Piantella, he co-created the Solar Protocol project. His book “A History of Solar Power Art and Design” was published by Routledge in 2021.
This functional photovoltaic mosaic is created with upcycled solar cells. The module produces 6 volts.
created for The Climate Museum. Left: solar powered zoetrope. Center: BEAM-style bots. Right: Solar Chimes
When the violins are exposed to light electromechanical percussion elements are activated. Performed in collaboration with Dylan Neely and Lindsay Packer, at Issue Project Room, December 2019.