‘The Sun, My Heart’ installation by Marjan van Aubel at London Design Festival 2024 – Photo by Ed Reeve, courtesy of LFD and Bloomberg.
Design. Marjan van Aubel is passionate about the Sun. Renowned for her eclectic solar projects, the Dutch designer and inventor has created The Sun, My Heart poetic installation at Somerset House during London Design Festival 2024. Embraced by a mesmerising constellation of 77 suspended pill-shaped lights, visitors are invited to reflect on their relationship with the sun and the potential of solar energy.
- RELATED STORIES: Read more about the London Design Festival 2024 on Archipanic.
“The installation mimics the sun’s daily cycles, from the gentle hues of sunrise to the warm glow of sunset,” explains van Aubel. “The lights were inspired by my Sunne solar lighting designs, which were specially modified to create a profound sensory and emotional connection to this celestial body.”
Sunne by Marjan va Aubel – Photo by Roland Smit, courtesy of the designer.
The constellation of lights is complemented by a soundscape based on NASA’s solar recordings. This eight-minute and 20-second audio experience – mirroring the time it takes sunlight to reach the Earth – is designed to trigger theta brain waves associated with deep relaxation and meditation. These waves are produced by our brain cells when we are at rest, creating a contemplative state ideal for reflection on our solar connection.
Visitors activate the installation by interacting with a sensor, creating an almost infinite variety of light and sound compositions. The installation responds uniquely to each visitor’s touch, including the length, pressure, and size of their hand, as well as the timing of their interaction within the composition.
My Sun, My Heart creates a distinct sunrise, sunset, or daytime sun that temporarily blends into the ongoing light and soundscape of the installation. The Sun, My Heart was commissioned by London Design Festival, which is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Van Aubel’s work bridges sustainability, design, and technology, challenging us to envision a sun-powered future. By fostering an emotional connection, the installation embodies the studio’s mission to spark a desire for change through innovative design, promoting the transition to sustainable energy sources.
- RELATED STORIES: Find out more about Marjan van Aubel on Archipanic.
All photos are by Ed Reeve, courtesy of London Design Festival and Bloomberg – Unless stated otherwise.
