Artist Statement

Design innovation, social entrepreneurship, and art activist movements are gaining momentum, spurred by our current economic and climate crises. This talk will explore the intersection between everyday objects, place making, and technology. Participants will learn about inspiring case studies that use creative risk-taking and systems-thinking methods applied to socially and ecologically minded projects with the potential for positive social change. Beth Ferguson is an ecological designer, public artist and founding director of Sol Design Lab based in San Francisco. Thousands of participants have interacted with Ferguson’s iconic SolarPump Charging Stations made from 1950’s gas pumps, bus stop LED light installations, solar payphones and public furniture made from up-cycled materials.

• Beth Ferguson, Assistant Professor in Design, University of California Davis, USA.  bethferguson.faculty.ucdavis.edu