Categorie: art

It’s a pity but The New York Times article is only for members……… or give it a try:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/10/26/world/europe/AP-EU-Netherlands-Desert-Ice.html?_r=2

Both film teams and Arthur Max, climate writer for AP, interviewed the SunGlacier team. First TV items and articles will be published in the next few days. A very exciting time!

Inspired by a leaf, covered with solar panels, we attrack moisture from the air and cool it into ice. Indeed: creating a glacier in a hot and dry desert. Why a is it called a glacier? Because the process doesn’t stop. An ice producing Perpertuum Mobile. This week we start with testing the systems at Cofely, but the pre-test showed already good results. ( Daily updates at: facebook.com/SunGlacier, press the ‘like’ button )

Monday we start testing. Very exciting to see how ice is made in desert conditions.
Have a look at: www.Facbook.com/SunGlacier for more updates.

  TamTam designed our new FaceBook page.

October 10th we start with testing our scientific models into practice. Cofely Refrigeration in Zoetermeer is building a climate controlled room that can simulate several desert conditions. A team of experts will test a lot of variants how to produce ice, a glacier, in a hot and dry desert. I know it sounds impossible but our calculations show good changes for positive results. Exciting Times! This contra-intuitive project becomes reality. I am already counting the days. First results will be published later that week. The whole project is dynamic, same as nature is. Next week I will unveil the next generation SunGlacier, a sculpture that is inspired on the computer sketches.    

During the Tweede Nationaal Deltacongres, November 3rd, RAI Amsterdam, I give a presentation about project SunGlacier. Everybody is welcome, but only if you register yourselve in front at: http://www.deltacommissaris.nl/nationaaldeltacongres/aanmelding_tweede_nationaal_deltacongres/
After my presentation, our Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, will close the morning session.
More information at: http://www.deltacommissaris.nl/nationaaldeltacongres/

Finally I can present the new design of project SunGlacier. The inspiration for the idea comes from natures most efficient sunlight user: a leaf.

A simple explanation of the design:
The sun shines on the solarpanels. The produced energy will transfer moisture into ice. The ice will melt and drop down. Of course the sculpture will make in this way also water. World’s first concept of making ice/water out of solar?

  Some renders of the project, thanks to my good friend Remco de Haan

SunGlacier
I miss the noice of the ‘Tour de France’ that fills my house/studio. The telephone is quiet, my inbox is nearly empty: Summer Holidays! The best time for concentration. This week I started to integrate the necessary adaptions to the SunGlacier design. A very responsible task because in a couple of weeks we have to present the final design. Together with my good friend Remko de Haan we transfered my new ideas in CAD to calculate the surfaces. Later I will start making the prototype.

Presentations of SunGlacier
My next presentation is at 2nd Nationaal Deltacongress, Amsterdam. I am completely honoured that our Prime Minister: Rutte speaches next to my presentation. It’s my first presentation with SunGlacier as onliest subject, so it has to be a good one.

SunGlacier Sculptures
Next week I start sculpting the Swiss sculpture in wax. It’s a great perspective to make a huge sculpture in bronze. Hopefully the weather stays like it is: too cold for the time of the year and lots of rain: The best conditions to shape hundreds of kg’s of hot wax, without melting yourselve.

SunGlacier technical
Cofely/GDF-Suez is preparing the set-up for the climate tests. Last week we received a technical drawing of the installation. I have to be honoust: I didn’t know what it means but Jan Alkemade, my technical advisor translated it to such a level that even I know what these symbols mean.

An exciting time, a great summer, with too many highlights to mention.
Have a great holiday!

The SunGlacier idea is born in Uummannaq, NW Greenland. Ap designed sunglasses to support the local Children’s Home. Last week Queen Margrethe & Prince Hendrik of Denmark visited Uummannaq. My good friends OJ Hammeken and A Andreasen donated them a pair of these exceptional shades. Great to see that Royals like the design. ( more pictures, press this link )

These are not the only royals who wear the Uummannaq sunglasses.

Together with Jan Alkemade we are now working at a new steel model at Danderzei Studio, our Dutch experts in metal constructions. The model will be transported in 2 weeks to Belgium and used as a ‘skeleton’ for the first SunGlacier related sculpture in bronze. Besides an excellent example for the new design of the SunGlacier project. Tomorrow meeting with Cofely – GDF/Suez to prepare the next steps for realising the project. All calculations show positive results. Next phase is testing the project in climate chambers. It’s great to work at so many different parts of the project. ( In the mean time we even produce a documentary film about projects cool(E)motion – SunGlacier )

Before I start making the prototype adjustments for the SunGlacier installation, I experimented with textures. Inspiration: melting, freezing, ice, deformation, natural, nature, cold, warm.

Have a look ‘live’ at the Freedom Tower. Start of next week a sculpting apdate, with the result of a new skin & a new concept.

It’s tough to see that many children are so deep in trouble that they are grown-up at an age of 6. To give them an escape for at least one afternoon, Ben and me, cooked together with them pizzas and cookies. They loved it! Many thanks to team Parnassia and team Kiwanis. 

While I am making new sculptures, my studio is one big mess, clay in my hair etc., I also give presentations. Like today for the Top 100 Management Meeting of Arcadis in Amsterdam. I am honoured to tell more about my projects and ideas for such an important group of decision makers.

Photo by Dorry Reuling

On our last day in NYC we luckily could meet my friend Alexander Kaletski  A couple of years ago we had a duo-exhibition, and in the mean time he became the star of the Dillon Gallery . A top gallery in NYC, where we talked with Eric Walstedt, the enthusiastic director. We will keep you ap-dated on this site about Alexander’s shows in Vienna and Switserland.

You have to visit the website of Alexander to see the picture ( scroll down ) with a nearly naked Jennifer Lopez. If you ever meet Alexander ask him about the story behind it. 

Barry King, Vice President at DCM Erectors Inc., invited us for a drink in the most famous Meat Packing District. Barry is the main contractor to erect the Freedom Tower on Ground Zero. I am sure it will not last long till I we meet up again.

My good friend Dave Conover, education Director of the Clearwater Foundation introduced me to Louise C. Adler, Membership Director of The American Museum of Natural History.

At the Museum of Modern Art, I had a positive and constructive meeting with Laura Beiles, Assistant Director, Adult Programs.

Our hosts Terry and Tonya Cutts organised the first presentation of our SunGlacierTour. Location: Palgrave Church, just outside Toronto. We were totally overwhelmed by the positive reactions. After the presentation we had a great party untill the early morning.