Solar Powered Art

Over the course of this workshop, we will cover basic electronic knowledge, off-grid solar circuit design, and ways to incorporate solar power into kinetic, sound, light, or text-based art. We will also explore a variety of techniques for working with solar panels as sculptural material. Ultimately, participants will build a solar powered art piece and have new insight into incorporating alternative energy into our daily lives through both practical and experimental uses.

Price: $200

Date: The workshop is a two-day course meeting on May 30 and May 31. Both sessions last from 1-5PM.

Audience: Open to all adults regardless of experience.

Materials: All materials provided to students in class.

Alex Nathanson is a multimedia artist, engineer, and educator whose practice is focused on exploring both the practical and experimental applications of sustainable energy technologies. His work has been presented at Issue Project Room (New York, USA), The Climate Museum (New York, USA), Anthology Film Archives (New York, USA), PS122 Gallery (New York, USA), Dome of Visions (Copenhagen, Denmark), and the Art Prospect Festival (St. Petersburg, Russia), among other venues. He was one of the long-term artists in residence at Flux Factory, in Queens, NY from 2012 to 2016, and has received multiple residencies at The Watermill Center. Additional collaborators have included Dylan Neely, Kid Millions, Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, and Will Owen. He has a M.S. in Integrated Digital Media from NYU Tandon School of Engineering. As an educator, he works with students as young as 6 to graduate students and working professionals, teaching engineering skills through creative projects. He has developed and taught classes for NYU Tandon, Solar One, Pioneer Works, Beam Center, Google, and numerous other organizations. Currently, he is writing a book on the history of solar power art and design, which is being published by Routledge.

Please note, this class is held on our second floor. At this time, we do not have an elevator. Please email education@pioneerworks.org with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, or any other questions regarding this workshop.