Olafur Eliasson's Green Light Workshop at Venice Biennale
At the 2017 Venice Biennale, Olafur Eliasson's Green Light Workshop transformed the Central Pavilion's core into a permanent community fablab addressing immigration. Over eighty participants from Nigeria, Gambia, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, and China built green lamps—design objects symbolizing optimism and openness toward those facing exile, immigration, and war. The project, created with Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (TBA21) of Vienna, stands out as one of the few socially engaged initiatives in a Biennale focused on intimate and formal themes. Lamp sales proceeds support NGOs aiding refugees worldwide.
Key facts
- Olafur Eliasson created the Green Light Workshop at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
- The workshop was realized in collaboration with Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (TBA21).
- It was located in the Central Pavilion at the Giardini.
- Over 80 participants from Nigeria, Gambia, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, and China took part.
- Participants built green lamps as design objects and metaphors.
- The project addresses themes of immigration, exile, and war.
- Proceeds from lamp sales support refugee NGOs worldwide.
- The Biennale's overall focus was on intimate and formal themes.
Entities
Artists
- Olafur Eliasson
Institutions
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (TBA21)
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Copenhagen
- Vienna
- Nigeria
- Gambia
- Syria
- Iraq
- Somalia
- Afghanistan
- China