Made-in-Studio: Solarpunk

Class Description

Friday September 5th, 1-4pm Tales of dystopian futures clog our bookshelves and screens and can make us feel that our destiny is dark and depressed. Cyberpunk sci-fi features a future in which humanity is choked with smog, dimly lit with glitchy neon, and technology is used to oppress and control. In the midst of our current reality, this dim destiny seems like a foregone conclusion. But what if we refused dystopia and instead insisted on and worked toward a brighter, better future for all? This is the ethos of Solarpunk—an approach that centers an egalitarian society, balanced with local ecosystems, and harnesses technology in ways that are restorative and regenerative, not extractive or exploitative. Solarpunk emphasizes low-tech and DIY options and is adaptable to climates and cultures around the world. Associate Artist Christine (Hubbard) Rai has been teaching a college course with a Solarpunk focus since 2022 and is excited to bring this experience to Riverworks. In this dynamic session, she will introduce the Solarpunk philosophy and share examples of art, architecture, and contemporary communities guided by these transformative principles. Participants will craft a creative product of their choice with self-selected materials inspired by Solarpunk—a multimedia creation, an informative image, an inspirational poster, a short story/poem/essay, or a mix of any of these. The session will close with sharing and discussion of our creations and how we can incorporate Solarpunk into our lives and communities. Participants should bring their preferred creative materials. And in the spirit of Solarpunk’s eco-friendly focus, Riverworks will provide a mix of repurposed and natural materials to incorporate into your creations if you like.