'SOH19

Location: Next to Vertigo

In the period from 2001 thru 2006 artist Alex Vermeulen together with students of the Technische University Eindhoven, Physics Department, develops a Gesamtkunstwerk on the university grounds.

In a pond of 1800 m² float 88 black plastic eggs, each fitted with a solar panel. The power generated by these panels together therefore depends on the light output and is used to generate a large magnetic field. In its turn, this magnetic field allows a huge sculpture to levitate in the middle of the pond. This implies that the height at which this large sculpture is floating is a direct result of the elements. Indeed, the power from the solar panels is determined by the sun (the element fire), but also by the wind (air) and the swell (water), which influence the orientation of the solar panels. The element earth can be found back in the solar panels themselves, which, like sand, mainly contain the chemical element silicon.

As regards its energy consumption the work of art is entirely self-sufficient. During the night the big sculpture will disappear below the water surface and in the middle of a summery day it will gracefully wobble to and fro at a height of three meters. This directly shows the power of sustainable energy generation from sunlight.

The smooth black eggs form a leitmotif in the work created by Vermeulen and are symbolic of creation and life itself. In this case the eggs must jointly generate the energy that can cause the big sculpture to appear and to float. It is a kind of life cycle that will repeat itself every day. Being situated at a highly visible location in front of the TU/e-campus this work of art will have a magic for all inhabitants of the city. This area (the Dommel valley) is a technological center surrounded by lush nature and will be redeveloped as a pedestrian area for the whole city. This work of art forms a powerful image within that area of the merger of technology, sustainability and art and proves that technology can indeed be fun and that sustainable energy definitely provides a good alternative.

See also: www.natuurkunst.nl en www.syndicaat.org