Sun by
For our project to create a sun-made image of the sun the Joya:AiR studio was just what we were looking for.
The new project called “sun by sun” required reliable sunshine because an image of the sun had to be burned onto a 1,6 m2 wooden surface by the means of concentrated sun light.
And also, the fusion of arte + ecología corresponded perfectly to us as the duo sunWorks (www.sunworks.click).
Alexandra Centmayer (www.alexandracentmayer.com) is an artist trained at Kunsthochschule Kassel, Universidad Complutense Madrid, and University of the Arts Berlin. In her painting she creates worlds that often have their origins in her immediate surroundings. Individual colour spaces are created through serial work, layering, and superimposing. The repetition gradually refines the ever-new view of the initial situation.
Rolf Behringer (www.solarezukunft.org) does projects on education for sustainable development. He has established a production of solar stoves in Germany and some small-scale solar cooker productions around the world. In 2009 he founded the international solar food processing network.
He developed several schemes such as bicycle cinema, experiments with renewable energy and some solar projects in schools.
All collaboration work is inspired and driven by the sun.
In 2014 the duo won the audience award with “Von der Sonne gezeichnet” (drawn by the sun) at the international exhibition EnergieWendeKunst in Berlin.
Alexandra:
Transforming high-tech NASA images of the sun with a very low-tech approach seemed to be a very appropriate work in this secluded and rural place of the world. The meditative act of drawing dot by dot onto the wood in preparation of the burning of the image turned the studio into a nun´s cell.
The sensation of shifting from this very small unit to the big picture was completed when stepping out at night under the gorgeous sky with trillions of stars and the milky way.
Rolf:
First, I was so happy when I saw the autonomous energy system. All electricity and hot water are produced by sun and wind. Both sources are available in abundance, and it shows us so clearly that it really makes sense to use decentralised renewable energy.
Burning our image of the sun with different sized lenses for 19 days, spending hours and hours in the sun, covered by sun protecting clothes, wearing welding goggles and burning thousands of different sized dots in the wooden surface was a very special experience. It is very intensive, working many hours with the sun. Thanks to Donna und Simon for this wonderful space that has given so many artists a chance to work focused and relaxed on their projects and at the same time bringing international artists together and giving us a chance to exchange and share experience and thoughts, mainly during the fantastic dinners, sometimes under the moon.
sunWorks is the cooperation between artist Alexandra Centmayer and solar expert Rolf Behringer. All works are inspired and driven by the sun. sunWorks deals with the current process of transformation in our energy system.
ALEXANDRA CENTMAYER born 1967 studied Fine Arts at University of the Arts (UdK) Berlin, Art Academy Kassel, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
www.alexandracentmayer.com
ROLF BEHRINGER born 1966 studied Technology, Maths, English and Pedagogy in Freiburg und found the access to Renewable Energies by Solar Cooking.
He is cofounder of the NGO Solare Zukunft and currently coordinates projects for education for sustainable development (ESD).
1996 he realized the concept of the mobile solar unit “Famos”.
2000 – 2003 he was in Namibia with the German Development Service and built up a workshop for solar cookers.
2005 he founded the International Solarfood Processing Network.
common shows
2021 EWS Freiburg
2018 sunWorks, Stadtmuseum Hüfingen
2017 documenta-Halle, Zukunftsforum Energiewende, Kassel
2016 Transhuman Motivation, Kreuzberg Pavillon, Berlin
2016 KlimArs, MUMUTH, Graz
2015 Von der Sonne gezeichnet, Bauhaus Dessau
2014 EnergieWendeKunst, silent green Kulturquartier, Berlin
(awarded)
2014 Art, Material and Sustainability, Project Space Group Global 3000, Berlin
2013 Lichtflügler, Kunstkiosk Ehrenkirchen
2013 Augenblicke, AKK Ehrenkirchen
2013 sunPlugged Festival, Mumbai