Olafur Eliasson and Ikea team up for range of tools that work without mains electricity and use renewable energy Swedish furniture retailer teams up with Little Sun, a ‘social business’ which was founded by artist Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen, for project that will explore ‘off-grid solutions for communications and water as well as power’. The products will be available in Ikea stores.
Explaining the project, Eliasson said: “Little Sun makes solar energy tangible and your world a little bit more sustainable. We are excited to collaborate with Ikea, raising awareness for energy access and the need for global togetherness. Together, we want to connect the world by sharing the power of the sun with everyone.”
Marcus Engman, the head of design at Ikea Range and Supply, added: “By democratising great things, we can give many people access to products that make everyday life better, supporting and encouraging independent living. If we can create good, democratic design solutions, then living off the grid can become sustainable, low-cost, and provide independence”
Eliasson’s previous projects with Little Sun includes an affordable solar powered torch, made available in more than 600 African outlets. In 2003 he also created the Tate Modern Turbine Hall commission, The Weather Project, which bathed the vast space in orange light from a glowing ‘sun’.
Frieze New York exhibitors offered 10% refund after extreme heat Exhibitors had complained that conditions within the fair’s tent had a negative impact on sales. A letter sent to exhibitors on 7 June explained that every gallery affected by the heat would be given a minimum of $1,000 refund.
Frieze Fairs director Victoria Siddall, cofounders Amanda Sharp and Mathew Slotover, and artistic director of the New York edition Loring Randolph, said in the letter: “While we were aware of the heatwave in advance, we believed that the HVAC system would be able to function effectively and we ran the AC on full the night before and all day during the preview days. Unfortunately, the system could not withstand the record-breaking temperatures.”
Switzerland and Luxembourg Venice Biennale representatives announced Berlin-based artist duo Pauline Boudry and Renate Lorenz have been selected to represent Switzerland in the 58th Venice Biennale, which will open in May 2019. Meanwhile, Portuguese-born and Paris and Luxembourg-based artist Marco Godinho will represent Luxembourg.
It was recently announced that Cathy Wilkes will represent Great Britain at the event, whilst Sean Edwards has been chosen to represent Wales and Charlotte Prodger is to represent Scotland.
Brazilian collector Bernardo Paz accused of using child labour Investigating for Bloomberg Businessweek, Alex Cuadros revealed testimonies from numerous people who say they worked for Paz’s charcoal production company Replasa, or its subcontractors, before they had reached the age of 16. Replasa has denied the claims.
The Brazilian collector and founder of the Inhotim sculpture park is currently serving a nine year prison sentence for tax avoidance.
Images:
1. Tomas Gislason, Little Sun. © Tomas Gislason
More on a-n.co.uk:
Queen’s Birthday Honours List: Lubaina Himid, Rose Wylie and Liverpool Biennial and Peer directors receive honours
A Q&A with… John Walter, an artist going viral
Freelands Artist Programme: £1.5m awarded over five years to four contemporary art organisations across the UK
