Biography
Alexandre Dang comes originally from a scientific background (engineer at the École polytechnique (Paris) and at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (Paris).
Alexandre Dang has developed his own artistic creation; he creates artworks integrating solar energy to enable them to move (« kinetic art »). He is part of an artistic movement called Solar Art or Solar Artwork, which incorporates solar energy in artworks. [1]
Alexandre Dang started his artistic work in 2004. He has been influenced by artists like Alexander Calder with his mobiles and stabiles and Jean Tinguely with his machines. He creates especially in situ installations with "Dancing Solar Flowers".
"Each solar flower is made up of an engine and a solar cell. The solar cell collects sunlight and turns it into electricity. With electricity, the motor starts and the flower moves". [2]
"This is socially conscious art that raises awareness about respect for the environment, sustainable development, renewable energy, and more generally, our modes of production and consumption". [1]
Beyond the aesthetic dimension, his art works also trigger debate on the use of energy today and on the energy perspectives in the future. In addition, Alexandre Dang organizes regularly workshops to raise public awareness on sustainable energy through art. Some workshops were held notably in schools (European School of Uccle (Brussels), European School of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Brussels) ... ), during the European Solar Days [3] or during festivals such as the festival Couleur Café.
He cofounded Solar Solidarity International [4] (a Non Profit International Association) which raises awareness about solar energy and contributes financially to solar electrification projects in developing countries (schools, hospitals ... ).
Alexandre Dang has supported the solar electrification of the hospital of Daga-Youndoum, in Senegal; the solar electrification of a school in M'Pédougou, in Mali; the electrification, heating and solar cooking of the orphanage MikumiKids in Tanzania. [5]
