Niek Kosten

Now or Never

“Now or Never” is a participatory public artwork that unites past, present and future on a large solar mural in Waterschei (Genk, BE).

To develop "Now or Never," we collaborated closely for six months with young people from the social-artistic atelier Zwiep (Youth welfare work GIGOS). Volunteers from community center De Singel (SAAMO) also contributed to the project. Together, we delved into the historical photo archive of Zwiep, collected contemporary work, and visualized future imaginaries using generative AI. 

Using this collection, we created original collages that established new connections and combined images in surprising ways. The high-tech artwork is printed on innovative solar panels that provide 2000 kWh of sustainable energy annually for the community center.

"Now or Never" is part of the research project "Transisthor" and was commissioned by the city of Genk in the framework of the European oPEN Lab project (Horizon Europe), which investigates collective energy technologies in positive energy neighbourhoods.

Concept, coordination and execution: Kristof Vrancken, Niek Kosten, Cami Laureyssens (LUCA School of Arts)
Design: Niek Kosten in collaboration with Atelier Zwiep led by Fjodor Schafranski.
Technical realization: Soltech, Plant en Houtgoed, Kameleon Solar, City of Genk
Part of 📂 Transisthor
📷 www.kristof-vrancken.com (2)
📷 www.lennertberx.com (1, 3)