SUNPLUGGED Conference
14 February 2025, Faro
WELCOME!
Join the SUNPLUGGED community and think together about our sustainable solar futures!
SUNPLUGGED Conference is the final event of SUNPLUGGED, the sunlight art festival from Faro (PT), Ystad (SE) and Bari (IT).
This international gathering invites creators, designers, artists, policy-makers, activists and researchers to the South of Portugal to discuss how sunlight can be a resource to create more sustainable cities and lifestyles.
How can sustainable solar rituals re-imagine new ways to power ecologically-resilient lifestyles and the regenerative transition of socio-ecological systems?
The 1-day event includes a thematic walk on the sun along the beautiful scenery of Faro's Ria Formosa, open discussions about solar creativity inspired by innovative solar design initiatives, and foresight thinking about common solar futures and how to make them happen.
Faro is the capital and biggest city of the Algarve, one of Europe's sunniest regions. By the Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Europe's most important wetland areas encompassing a barrier island system stretching, and mixing intercultural heritages to modernist architecture and innovative cultural offers, Faro provides a unique setting to SUNPLUGGED's final gathering. Click here for more on the city of Faro and what it offers!
This international gathering invites creators, designers, artists, policy-makers, activists and researchers to the South of Portugal to discuss how sunlight can be a resource to create more sustainable cities and lifestyles.
How can sustainable solar rituals re-imagine new ways to power ecologically-resilient lifestyles and the regenerative transition of socio-ecological systems?
The 1-day event includes a thematic walk on the sun along the beautiful scenery of Faro's Ria Formosa, open discussions about solar creativity inspired by innovative solar design initiatives, and foresight thinking about common solar futures and how to make them happen.
Faro is the capital and biggest city of the Algarve, one of Europe's sunniest regions. By the Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Europe's most important wetland areas encompassing a barrier island system stretching, and mixing intercultural heritages to modernist architecture and innovative cultural offers, Faro provides a unique setting to SUNPLUGGED's final gathering. Click here for more on the city of Faro and what it offers!
Conference Program
Friday, 14 February 2025
09:00 – 10:30
Opening Coffee & Reflective Walk @ Teatro das Figuras
A group walk along the natural lagoon, inviting reflection about sunlight, sustainability and the future, inspired by lessons from the SUNPLUGGED festival.
10:45 – 11:45
Solar creativities in practice @ Ginásio Clube de Faro
Pauline van Dongen, designer and co-founder of the Solar Biennale
Kah Bee Chow, artist and exhibitor at SUNPLUGGED Festival
Kah Bee Chow, artist and exhibitor at SUNPLUGGED Festival
UnPanel on the question: How can sunlight and solar energy be a resource for creative processes and imagining new, more sustainable lifestyles?
A collective dialogue following an open fishbowl structure. Started by initial inputs from solar designer Pauline van Dongen and SUNPLUGGED artist Kah Bee Chow, all participants are invited to join the discussion and share their perspectives.
A collective dialogue following an open fishbowl structure. Started by initial inputs from solar designer Pauline van Dongen and SUNPLUGGED artist Kah Bee Chow, all participants are invited to join the discussion and share their perspectives.
12:00 – 13:00
Solar design in society @ Ginásio Clube de Faro
winners of SUNPLUGGED design labs André Mesquita (Faro, PT), Christian Stenqvist, Jennifer McCormack, Mizu Mitro (Skåne, SE), Ilenia D’Amato and Annachiara Terrone (Bari, IT)
Solar Fair and World Café on question: How can sunlight and solar energy be part of low-tech and high-tech innovation processes to future-proof our societies and communities?
A dynamic marketplace session. Each of the ideas from the SUNPLUGGED design labs (in Portugal, Sweden and Italy) is presented and discussed at a table, with groups moving after a period. It ends with a plenary of solar takeaways!
A dynamic marketplace session. Each of the ideas from the SUNPLUGGED design labs (in Portugal, Sweden and Italy) is presented and discussed at a table, with groups moving after a period. It ends with a plenary of solar takeaways!
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch @ Ginásio Clube de Faro
14:00 – 16:00
Solar futures exploration @ Ginásio Clube de Faro
All participants
Free flowing co-creation between participants. In smaller or bigger groups, inside or outside, participants will discuss, in free-flowing movements and spaces, about solar horizons and common projects for the future.
16:00 – 18:00
SUNPLUGGED early sunset: @ Terrazzo
Paulo Santos, vice-mayor City of Faro
Sharing Group reflections on the Solar futures, followed by a closing speech by Paulo Santos, vice-mayor at the City of Faro, and a networking sunset party.