Ever Tried to Light Up a City While Saving the Planet? Welcome to GLOW!
So, the GLOW festival is back in Eindhoven, and it’s brighter than my future, which is saying something! This week, the festival will devour a whopping 4726.8 kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s enough energy to light up about a hundred families’ worth of Saturday night Netflix binges! Talk about illuminating the human condition—forget the lights, let’s focus on saving the planet!
A Vision (Not Quite) in the Dark
Ralf van Lieshout, the festival’s chief brightness officer—or in less flashy terms, the organizer—has his sights set on making GLOW completely energy neutral. That’s like my diet plan: always a dream, but rarely a reality! But hey, the guy’s trying! Ralf mentions, “Our aim is to make GLOW completely energy-neutral, but that also involves costs.” Who knew keeping the lights on could be so taxing? It’s almost as if being eco-friendly comes with a price tag! Who knew!?
Ralf’s got some agreements with the Municipality of Eindhoven, so they’re trying to do their bit for the environment. They’re rolling with green energy, LED lights, and even recycling materials. They’re basically the art-world’s answer to Captain Planet—but without the mullet. Honestly, if you told me that LED lighting would save the world, I’d say you had a screw loose. But evidently, it’s not just the lightbulbs that need changing.
When Life Gives You Generators…
Now, here’s a twist: sometimes they have to use generators because, shocker, there’s no power point on many of the routes. I mean, how do you run a festival without basic planning? Can’t just rock up like, “Oh no, there’s no outlet! Guess we’re going analog!” But fret not, folks, they’re attempting to focus on green generators, which are like normal generators but with less guilt attached, like eating kale while indulging in a double chocolate cake.
Local Art and Other Bright Ideas
GLOW’s shining brilliance doesn’t come just from the lights; they’re also big on local artists. Three-quarters of the artworks come from the neighborhood! It’s like a flea market, but instead of kitschy doodads, you get art that’s meant to make you go, “Wow!” instead of just “Why?”. Plus, they’re encouraging people to cycle over and decrease CO2 emissions. So, bicycle enthusiasts, rejoice! As for me… well, I’ll just be over here, burning a few extra calories by thinking about cycling.
Lights Out, Savings In!
Last year, they dimmed the lights an hour early to save energy because, you know, being eco-conscious requires some sacrifice. A noble cause, yet I’m sure people were out there disappointed, saying, “I came to see a festival, not attend a wake!” Luckily, this year, the lights will stay on for the full duration—hooray for those who refuse to be early to bed, early to rise!
But, just because they’re keeping the lights on, doesn’t mean they’re turning a blind eye to sustainability. “Less power is used by us as a festival than if people stay at home and use energy there,” says Ralf with a laugh. Essentially, the festival is a ruse to keep you from watching bad reality TV shows! Genius!
Summary: A Future Bright Enough to Sustain
So, while we embrace the bright lights and vibrant art of GLOW, let’s not forget the undercurrent of sustainability that we’re all trying to navigate—like walking through a crowded room without stepping on anyone’s toes. Check out all those dazzling artworks until November 16, and remember, turn off those lights at home. Unless, of course, you’re trying to create your own GLOW experience. In which case, let’s chat about your energy bill!
Shining on, one kilowatt at a time!
This week, the mesmerizing Light festival GLOW is illuminating the city with a captivating array of art installations, consuming a hefty total of 4,726.8 kilowatt hours of electricity—an amount equivalent to the weekly energy needs of about a hundred families. While the spectacle is grand, the organizers harbor a larger ambition: to achieve an energy-neutral festival in Eindhoven. “That’s our dream,” says Ralf van Lieshout, one of the key figures behind GLOW.
GLOW coincides with National Climate Week, a period that emphasizes sustainability and environmental consciousness. According to van Lieshout, the festival is taking significant strides towards a greener future. “Our aim is to make GLOW completely energy-neutral, but this also involves costs. No matter how nice it would be, we can’t do it yet,” he admits candidly.
The organization has established partnerships with the Municipality of Eindhoven and various other stakeholders to shoulder their environmental responsibilities. GLOW prioritizes green energy sources and relies heavily on LED lighting while also emphasizing the reuse of materials for the artworks on display.
Sometimes the organization has to use a generator because there is no power point on the route where the artwork is located. “We try to utilize green generators instead of traditional diesel ones, but achieving this consistency poses challenges,” Ralf van Lieshout notes with a hint of frustration.
In a bid to reduce the carbon footprint, GLOW encourages festival-goers to bike to the event and turn off unnecessary lights at home. Three-quarters of the artworks participating in the festival are created by local artists, significantly minimizing transportation emissions.
In 2022, GLOW adjusted its schedule by turning off the lights an hour earlier each evening, aiming to raise awareness about energy consumption and the importance of sustainability. This initiative was in direct response to the European Union’s appeal for a collective effort to conserve at least 10% of energy during a time of soaring costs.
This year, however, GLOW will maintain a full schedule without extra energy-saving initiatives. “But that doesn’t mean we aren’t committed to sustainability,” van Lieshout emphasizes. “For us, GLOW is about bringing people together and creating joy. Interestingly, less power is consumed at the festival than if people remained at home consuming energy, so everyone is invited to come and enjoy the experience,” he adds, chuckling.
The enchanting light artworks gracing the cities of Eindhoven, Best, Oirschot, and Helmond can be explored until November 16.
**Interview with Ralf van Lieshout, Chief Brightness Officer of GLOW Festival**
**Editor:** Ralf, welcome! In just a few words, can you tell us what the GLOW festival is all about this year?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** Thanks for having me! GLOW is all about celebrating art, light, and community while being conscious of our environmental impact. This year, we’re not just lighting up Eindhoven—we’re aiming to make the festival energy-neutral, which is no small feat!
**Editor:** That’s an ambitious goal! You’re consuming over 4,700 kilowatt-hours of electricity during the festival. How do you reconcile that with your sustainability mission?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** Great question! While the energy consumption seems high, we are actively working to offset it. We’re using green energy and LED lights, and collaborating with local artists to keep our ecological footprint in check. The idea is to create an immersive experience while being as eco-friendly as possible.
**Editor:** So, how do generators fit into this? It seems a bit counterintuitive to use them at a festival aiming for sustainability.
**Ralf van Lieshout:** You’re right! Unfortunately, not every location has access to power points, so we occasionally have to use generators. However, we’re opting for greener generator alternatives that reduce emissions. It’s all about finding the balance between practicality and sustainability.
**Editor:** It’s refreshing to hear about your local artist initiative, too. How much of the art displayed comes from the community?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** About 75% of the artworks featured at GLOW are from local artists! We really want to support our community and showcase local talent. It adds a unique flair to the festival and fosters a deeper connection with visitors.
**Editor:** Last year you dimmed the lights an hour early to save energy. Are you planning anything similar this year?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** We learned a lot from last year’s experience. This time, the lights will stay on for the full duration! We want everyone to enjoy the festival to the fullest. But don’t worry—we still intend to keep our energy use minimal.
**Editor:** It sounds like GLOW is more than just a festival; it’s an opportunity to raise awareness. What message do you hope attendees take away regarding sustainability?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** Exactly! We want people to think about their own energy consumption—especially while they’re enjoying our festival. Ultimately, we hope that attendees leave inspired to make small changes in their own lives that contribute to a greener future.
**Editor:** Lastly, what’s your personal favorite part of the GLOW festival this year?
**Ralf van Lieshout:** I love the sense of community that comes together during GLOW. Seeing people connect through art and light is incredibly rewarding. Plus, watching how the installations interact with the space is just magical—it’s a blend of creativity and nature that captivates everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you, Ralf! Wishing you and the GLOW festival much success this year.
**Ralf van Lieshout:** Thank you! I hope everyone enjoys GLOW and leaves with a little more light in their lives—both physically and in terms of sustainability!
