Niek Kosten

Transisthor

(Ongoing) Transisthor aims to co-design two public solar murals in the neighborhoods of Nieuw-Texas and Waterschei Garden City (Genk, BE). Solar murals combine the functionality of photovoltaic energy production with the possibility to feature an artwork on the surface of the panels. We engage residents in this aesthetic dimension to educate, activate, and raise awareness about sustainable energy. Transisthor especially focuses on socially disadvantaged groups, who are often underrepresented in energy transition narratives.

Our approach involves participatory workshops with community members and organizations to visually explore energy's evolving role in their surroundings and co-visualize new energy futures. An innovative aspect of our project is the exploration of how generative image AI tools can be appropriated and contextually situated in these community-driven design practices.

In collaboration with Kristof Vrancken and Cami Laureyssens (LUCA School of Arts).
Partners: City of Genk, Gigos/Atelier Zwiep, SAAMO, Wonen in Limburg, and imec.
Part of the European oPEN Lab (Horizon Europe) project which explores collective energy technologies in positive energy neighbourhoods.

↳ 📂 Now or Never

🔗 www.transisthor.eu
🔗 www.openlab-project.eu
📷 www.kristof-vrancken.com (1-9, 12-13)
📷 Janne Leppens (10, 11)
📷 www.lennertberx.com (14)

1. Neighborhood of Nieuw-Texas (Genk, BE)

2. Exploring traces of energy in archive images of the neighborhood in co-design workshops.

3. Residents researching the movement of the sun in the neighborhood and options for orientation of the solar mural.

Generated by DALL E 3 on 18-11-2023 - Prompt: "Make an image of a grand football stadium in Genk, Belgium, with a capacity of 25,000 seats. The stadium only uses green energy. There are solar panels on the roof. There are solar panels on the facade that are printed with the logo of KRC Genk and the club colors of blue and white. In the background there are wind turbinees on the slag heap. In the image we see supporters around the stadium."

Generated by DALL E 2 on 02-10-2023

9. Collaborative collage workshop with members of atlier Zwiep

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14. Unveiling of "Now or Never", as part of the Transisthor research project