All You Need Is Light
A Call to Action from Olafur Eliasson

Did you know that 1.6 billion people in the world live off the electrical grid?
They have no reliable access to electrical light, and many use kerosene instead.
Kerosene is expensive and a health hazard.
Think about how essential light is to you, about how much you use it every day.
Think about the constant flow of electrical energy that you tap into daily.
What would your life be without it?

At the 13th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia 2012, Eliasson responds to David Chipperfield’s Common Ground exhibition theme by presenting his new artwork, Little Sun – a solar-powered lamp, designed by Eliasson together with engineer Frederik Ottesen, for the 1.6 billion people worldwide who live off the electrical grid. This work responds to the situation we face today, where natural resources no longer abound. Little Sun transforms the light that is for all of us into light that is for each of us.

In two gallery spaces of the Central Pavilion, Eliasson makes our experience of light physical. One space includes a new short film, realised by acclaimed Philippine director Khavn upon Eliasson’s invitation, which features a merman seeking his appropriate environment within the city of Manila.

According to Eliasson, it is only through the physical experience of light and darkness that one can truly understand the implications of not having light. Experiences create actions.

Light should be for all. Help make this possible!

By buying Little Sun at full price in areas of the world with electricity, you help make it available at a lower price to communities with no or inconsistent electricity. Retailers close to off-grid communities are able to make a profit while keeping Little Sun affordable, so that the lamps reach those users who do not have access to electricity – where Little Sun can make the most difference.

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For further information, please contact:
camilla.kragelund@olafureliasson.net
press@littlesun.co

Knowing Feeling Acting

We all know a lot.
How does knowledge feel?
And how do you feel that you know?
How do you feel what you know?
How do your feelings feel?
Your felt feeling!
Consult your feeling of being disconnected and being connected,
Being indifferent or committed.
Does feeling connected make you more empathic?
Does empathy make your surroundings more tangible?
Are your feelings embodied knowledge?
Does your body drive action?
What space makes you want to act?
Does your felt knowledge make space for others?
Your felt space!
There is a difference between wanting to act and acting.
One is thinking, the other doing.
Do you recognise the feeling of wanting to act but not acting?
Hold this feeling.
Then consult your own experience of empathic action.
Now pause.
How does the discrepancy between the desire to act and the experience of action feel?
Bring the pause to an end.

–Olafur Eliasson