Batteries Not Included – Solar Energy as Artistic Material
Energy is the main driving force or our society; energy is political; energy is invisible. In previous centuries, energy appeared to be an inexhaustible resouce. Today, we know that using it sustainably and efficiently is crucial for our future on planet Earth. We need to rethink our approach. Instead of looking down into the earth for oil and gas, let´s start looking up to the sky for our energy. In the project module Batteries Not Included – Solar Energy as Artistic Material, we will search for the mysterious, speculative, humorous and imaginative use of renewable energy to enable artefacts to become self-sufficient.
The focus is on generating energy with the help of the sun. In the course of the project module, we will design reactive and interactive objects that feed exclusively on solar energy. This can lead to uncontrollable, complex superimpositions that can astonish, surprise or even disturb us in their appearance, both visually and sonically. The independent life of things, their autonomy and self-sufficiency are at the centre of their presence. A joint exhibition is planned and will be developed in the project module. The project module is aimed at Bachelor's and Master's students and offers self-motivated and self-organised projects a place for discussion, production and debate.
The following teaching formats are offered:
Lecture:
The lecture series deals with various creative and artistic positions and provides an insight into tools and methods for the conception and design of interactive and reactive objects, artefacts and their interfaces. The language of instruction will be English.
Workshop:
WILD WEAK ELECTRONICS by Ralf Schreiber
A workshop using only the weakest energy sources based on light, motion and electromagnetism. By this I mean: tiny-solar-cells, electromagnetic waves, piezo-electronic,..
All these low energy sources are hardly usable for our everyday devices, because they need quite high, constant and stabilized currents for their reliable operation. Nevertheless, the study of low energy circuit design is rewarding because it reveals the primal, wild and chaotic nature of electricity. In this hands-on workshop, we will craft and solder minimal electronic modules and electro-mechanical objects. These work with the weakest energy sources and create sounds or movements with a unique natural flow. Everything you build yourself can be combined with each other and thus invites you to experiment.
Participation is compulsory.
Consultations:
Individual projects and personal professional development can be discussed by appointment.
Excursion:
In order to explore the creative and artistic approaches under real conditions and to gain further impulses for the development of the project, we will go on an excursion from 23-25 June 2026. All students from the project module are invited to take part.
Prerequisite for participation in the project module is the completion of the accompanying subject module:
Batteries Not Included – Physical Computing by Brian Larson Clark
Registration
- Registration via the BISON portal
- Additionally, send a short letter of motivation (interest in the course, choice of Fachmodul, knowledge level, background) to:
- martin.hesselmeier@uni-weimar.de
Certificate of Achievement
- Regular attendance and participation
- Participation in excursions, interim, and final presentations
- Participation in the jointly organised exhibition at the end of the semester
- Presentation of the work/project in the final presentation of the Interface Design professorship
Project documentation is required during the lecture-free period until the end of the semester as:
- Work file
- Film in MP4 format
Syllabus (subject to change)
09:30-12:45h, Marienstraße 7 B - Seminarroom 104
| 1 | 14.04.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Welcome
Introduction |
| 2 | 21.04.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Solar Power I |
| 3 | 28.04.2026-30.04.2026 | Workshop by Ralf Schreiber | |
| 4 | 05.05.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Solar Power II |
| 5 | 12.05.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Plenum 1 |
| 6 | 19.05.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Student Presentation, Group I
Projectwork |
| 7 | 26.05.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Student Presentation, Group II
Projectwork |
| 8 | 02.06.2026 | 9:30h-16.00 | Student Presentation, Group III
Projectwork |
| 9 | 09.06.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Plenum 2
Midterm Presentations |
| 10 | 16.06.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Student Presentation,, Group IIII
Projectwork |
| 11 | 23.06.2026-25.06.2026 | Excursion Manifesta | |
| 12 | 30.06.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | individual consultations, Projectwork, prepare summaery 2026 |
| 13 | 07.07.2026 | 09:30-12:45 | Final Presentation |
| 14 | 03.02.2026 | 09.30-12.45 | Projectwork
prepare exhibition |
| 15 | 09.–12.07.2026 | Summaery 2026 |
Platforms and Tools
This Wiki
Mattermost Please CLICK HERE to get an introduction to mattermost
Literature
- tba