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Creating a World that Glows: Dan Roosegaarde's Journey from Fine Arts to Sustainable Innovation
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When Daan Roosegaarde speaks of light, he's not talking about lumens or lux—he's describing a language that shapes human experience. "I see light as a language," he explains. "What do people remember when they wake up the next morning? That's what I want to design." This conversation reveals the mind of one of today's most innovative creators, whose work defies categorisation across art, architecture, technology, and environmental activism.
Daan's journey from fine arts student to founder of Studio Roosegaarde illustrates the power of hybrid thinking in solving complex problems. His Rotterdam-based studio creates experiences that challenge our relationship with technology and nature—from electricity-generating dance floors to the world's largest outdoor air purifier. But it's his work with bioluminescence that truly captures the imagination.
The discussion delves into his current passion: breeding fireflies that communicate through synchronised light patterns as part of their mating ritual. With these insects disappearing due to light pollution and pesticides, his team has established the world's first breeding program. Similarly, his work with glowing flowers allows humans to see what butterflies naturally perceive through ultraviolet light. These projects represent what he calls "super nature"—learning from natural phenomena to create new forms of human experience.
Perhaps most striking is Roosegaarde's "Seeing Stars" project, where he convinced entire cities to turn off every light for one night. "I think it's unacceptable that we live in a world where we talk about AI and self-driving cars and blockchain, but we don't see the stars anymore," he argues. "That's not a smart city. You see the stars in a smart city."
The conversation explores AI's role in design, with Daan embracing it as a creative tool while emphasising that our uniquely human qualities—emotional intelligence, creativity, and comfort with failure—become more valuable as technology advances. "We just got to be better humans. That's the best solution," he concludes.
Whether discussing his glowing Van Gogh bicycle path, developing biodegradable fireworks, or his philosophy on sharing ideas freely, Daan demonstrates why innovation requires us to change perspective. As he puts it, "When you change your perspective, everything changes." What would you create if you saw the world differently?
More from the Light Talk Desk
Watch my vlogs, industry dialogues and project tours.
Listen to enriching stories, deep insights, and expert opinions in my podcast.
Learn directly from a master, absorbing the knowledge, techniques and the artistry of lighting design through my masterclass.
Download and delve into my works 'Light Talk, a Year in the Life of Light' and 'Light Talk 2, 16 Years in the Life of Light' - follow the journey of lighting design through his books.
Check out lighttalk.space
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By Martin KlaasenSend us a text
When Daan Roosegaarde speaks of light, he's not talking about lumens or lux—he's describing a language that shapes human experience. "I see light as a language," he explains. "What do people remember when they wake up the next morning? That's what I want to design." This conversation reveals the mind of one of today's most innovative creators, whose work defies categorisation across art, architecture, technology, and environmental activism.
Daan's journey from fine arts student to founder of Studio Roosegaarde illustrates the power of hybrid thinking in solving complex problems. His Rotterdam-based studio creates experiences that challenge our relationship with technology and nature—from electricity-generating dance floors to the world's largest outdoor air purifier. But it's his work with bioluminescence that truly captures the imagination.
The discussion delves into his current passion: breeding fireflies that communicate through synchronised light patterns as part of their mating ritual. With these insects disappearing due to light pollution and pesticides, his team has established the world's first breeding program. Similarly, his work with glowing flowers allows humans to see what butterflies naturally perceive through ultraviolet light. These projects represent what he calls "super nature"—learning from natural phenomena to create new forms of human experience.
Perhaps most striking is Roosegaarde's "Seeing Stars" project, where he convinced entire cities to turn off every light for one night. "I think it's unacceptable that we live in a world where we talk about AI and self-driving cars and blockchain, but we don't see the stars anymore," he argues. "That's not a smart city. You see the stars in a smart city."
The conversation explores AI's role in design, with Daan embracing it as a creative tool while emphasising that our uniquely human qualities—emotional intelligence, creativity, and comfort with failure—become more valuable as technology advances. "We just got to be better humans. That's the best solution," he concludes.
Whether discussing his glowing Van Gogh bicycle path, developing biodegradable fireworks, or his philosophy on sharing ideas freely, Daan demonstrates why innovation requires us to change perspective. As he puts it, "When you change your perspective, everything changes." What would you create if you saw the world differently?
More from the Light Talk Desk
Watch my vlogs, industry dialogues and project tours.
Listen to enriching stories, deep insights, and expert opinions in my podcast.
Learn directly from a master, absorbing the knowledge, techniques and the artistry of lighting design through my masterclass.
Download and delve into my works 'Light Talk, a Year in the Life of Light' and 'Light Talk 2, 16 Years in the Life of Light' - follow the journey of lighting design through his books.
Check out lighttalk.space