Solar Tree of Artemide to debut in Venice
Source: http://www.artemide.us/ Sept. 4, 2008
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/solar_tree_to_debut_in_venice_10997.asp
Solar Tree, created by Ross Lovegrove, was developed and produced by Artemide in collaboration with Sharp Solar, world leader in solar cells production. This revolutionary urban lighting project works with the most advanced solar technology respecting not only environmental issues but also cultural and social aspects of today’s world. Solar Tree demanded very complex studies and analyses which Artemide has conducted with great commitment and sensitivity regarding ecological demands.
“Artemide has been considering social responsibility and sustainability for a long while now” says Ernesto Gismondi, the President of Artemide. “Respecting life, environment and all the natural resources available means facing the energy saving issue in a very serious way. Consequently advanced and high technical capacity technologies are created”. “Solar Tree is a project that celebrates design, nature and art”, says Ross Lovegrove, one of the most famous contemporary designers.
“Solar Tree represents the DNA of our time and it also shows it is possible to create beautiful things using the most advanced technology” Solar Tree is a sinuous tree made of steel pipes each one supporting a light bubble, to which there are 38 sophisticated solar cells connected to a battery system and to an electronic device hidden in its base. The light source consists of an array of LEDs which is the most advanced technology in lighting today.
After the great success obtained at MAK in Vienna (October 2007), in one of the most prestigious squares in Milano – Piazza della Scala – (November 2007) and in the wonderful Champs Elysees in Paris (February 2008), Solar Tree’s european tour continues. From April 6th will be in Frankfurt-am-Main at Light + Building 2008
Ross Lovegrove’s Solar Trees have been on tour in cities across Europe and make their next stop in Venice at the Biennale dell’ Architettura. Designed to resemble a bouquet of flowers, the petals are lined with LED bulbs and photovoltaic cells. During the day the flower absorbs energy to recharge a battery pack which illuminates the LED bulbs at dusk.
Arguably this is not a new idea, every year designers and design students pump out their version of this concept but it seems it’s going to take the efforts of prominent design figure Lovegrove and heavyweight lighting manufacture Artemide to raise the public awareness.