Dutch solar designer Marjan van Aubel is bringing her celebrated works to Japan for the very first time. The exhibition is held from May 25 (Monday) to June 4 (Thursday), 2026 at "reload," a commercial space along the railway strip in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.
"Ra" and "Sunne" — First Japan Exhibition of Marjan van Aubel's Solar Art
Marjan van Aubel's solar art pieces "Ra" and "Sunne" — part of the permanent collections at institutions including the Pompidou Centre in Paris — are now on display at the Entrance Hall of "reload" (3-19-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo).
These works collect sunlight and convert it into energy, which then glows as light after dark. By making the cycle of light — from daytime sun to nighttime glow — visible to viewers, the pieces explore a new, beautiful relationship between urban environments and energy.
Set in the entrance space of "reload," the works change their expression dramatically depending on the weather, the time of day, and the angle of the incoming light.
Event Details
- Period: May 25 (Mon) to June 4 (Thu), 2026 / 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Venue: reload Entrance Hall, 3-19-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo
- Admission: Free
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solarplacemaking_jp/
About Marjan van Aubel
Born in the Netherlands in 1985, Marjan van Aubel is a solar designer known for innovative practice that spans sustainability, design, and technology. After completing a Master of Arts in Design Products at the Royal College of Art (London) in 2012, she has exhibited her work at major cultural institutions including the V&A (London), the Design Museum (London), and the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam). Her works are held in the permanent collections of MoMA New York, the Vitra Design Museum, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia. Her work and designs have been widely recognized through international media outlets and awards including WIRED, Wallpaper, and Dezeen.
"Solar Placemaking" — A New Approach to Place Design
This exhibition marks the first chapter of "Solar Placemaking," an initiative that uses solar art to create spaces where people gather, linger, and connect. The concept aims to introduce new experiences and value into public spaces through next-generation energy, weaving together art, culture, and local community to cultivate a sense of place.
