Thijs Biersteke, an artist and communicator, creates interactive installations to raise awareness about the most pressing issues in the world today. He likes to combine technological suggestions and scientific reflection in his “opera”. His works stand out because they offer an experience of the work in the round. Accessible on a practical level and, at the same time, also theoretical and programmatic. With this brilliant artistic device, Biersteke’s works speak to everyone. And they do so by directly involving the visitor in the work. We Harvest Wind is an interactive installation that Thijs Biersteke has designed to talk about the climate crisis and sustainability.
Woven Studio
Biersteker is founder of Woven Studio, which collaborates with universities, museums, research groups, and designers. Woven Studio’s mission is to communicate (through art) facts about the contemporary world. And to do so in an immersive way.
Countless prestigious collaborations (refer to the artist’s website for more information).
Biersteker also currently teaches at Delft University of Technology (NL). He has won international awards and is a TED speaker. He has exhibited at Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris (FR), Today Art Museum (CN), Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam (NL), Science Gallery in Dublin (IE), and many others.
Awareness artist
Biersteker has been called a “mindfulness artist.” He states, “It is my job to take those numbers, those facts, and turn them into feelings. This is how we can create action and bring about real change.”
It’s my job to take those numbers, those facts, and turn them into feelings. This is how we can create action and bring about real change.
The role of art can be crucial in communicating the emergencies of today’s world.
Whether it is sculpture or song, acrylic or alabaster, art always provokes a reaction. That is why it is an incredibly powerful way to convey a message. By directly arousing the audience’s emotions. And by creating an emotional connection with it. This is what Thijs Biersteker’s work points to.
Deep connection with environmental challenges
In this way, pieces are designed that invite visitors to participate. And they create a deep connection with the environmental and social challenges of our time.
We Harvest Wind, the interactive installation designed to talk about the climate crisis and sustainability, consists of a series of blades, 3 meters in diameter. The blades rotate around a central 6-meter-high spire.
Visitors, acting on fans directed toward the work (from multiple angles), rotate the blades. Setting the entire construction in motion. The design of the component elements is extremely complex and accurate. The blades are 3D printed from recycled plastic (at The New Raw studio, in Rotterdam). Or built, in an even more bio-friendly version, from composite materials derived from flax. Made by Bcomp (a Swiss firm, at the forefront of materials research).
Talking about the climate crisis and sustainability
“The art installation literally puts the power of wind in the hands of people. In doing so, it symbolizes (and emphasizes) the need for an immediate transition to renewable energy. Green energy is the key.”
The art installation literally puts the power of wind in the hands of people. In doing so, it symbolizes (and emphasizes) the need for an immediate transition to renewable energy. Green energy is the key.
Woven Studio worked closely with Ross Kelk, of Polestar R&D UK, as well as Fredrika Klarén and Lisa Bolin (also of Polestar), throughout the entire project. It was meant to be as compelling as the cars the Swedish company offers. Packed with “performance for the post-gasoline era.”
We Harvest Wind
In the Studio’s philosophy, art, and the way it is made, must also be as sustainable as possible. To cause environmental damage, to create art that speaks of environmental damage, is really hypocritical.
In this context, art produces a multiple effect in the viewer. An appreciation for the aesthetics of the piece, an admiration for the originality on display. A curiosity about the complex technology and sustainability with which it is made. But also an emotional reaction, which cannot be explained. In Biersteker’s hands, We Harvest Wind sends this powerful message, “Yes, there is a climate crisis. No, it is not too late to do something about it.”
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