20% of the world’s population has no access to electricity or to clean, reliable, affordable light – that’s 1.6 billion people. Artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen developed the Little Sun solar-powered lamp to change that.
This Christmas la Rinascente is pleased to join Little Sun in a celebration of light for all – making Little Sun lamps available in six new off-grid shops for the very first time. Following the lamp’s introduction at London’s Tate Modern and the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale earlier this year, Little Sun and la Rinascente are setting up six Little Sun shops in countries with insufficient light access, an important step in getting Little Sun lamps to the areas where they are needed most. Little Sun shops will be opening in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; Jakarta, Indonesia; El Nido, Philippines; Yangon, Myanmar; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
December 4th marks the opening of a special installation created by Little Sun for la Rinascente’s famous Milan store windows that will showcase the off-grid shops throughout the Christmas season. The design of these windows will establish a powerful visual link between customers in Milan and customers in these off-grid areas.
The eye-catching installation presents the project through regular photographic updates from the actual off-grid Little Sun shops. Little Suns will be exclusively available for purchase in Italy through la Rinascente’s stores, giving customers a chance to participate in the project. Purchasing a Little Sun at the regular price of 20 euros in Italy makes it possible for Little Suns to be sold in off-grid areas at locally affordable prices.
Additionally, la Rinascente is providing funding to stock the six Little Sun shops with Little Suns. Little Sun will invest all profits from sales into developing the shops and expanding off-grid light distribution. This unique business concept will unite la Rinascente and its customers with the Little Sun project in achieving a common goal – getting Little Sun light to off-grid areas in a celebration of light for everyone.
“I’m excited to see Little Sun, la Rinascente, and six new off-grid shops come together for this Christmas season project. La Rinascente’s customers can buy Little Suns for themselves and support an off-grid shop, while the off-grid shops in turn support la Rinascente by lending their stories and facades to its Christmas windows. At this time of year, this project is a powerful reminder that we share the same fundamental needs all over the world – happiness, love, and light in our lives.” – Olafur Eliasson
“We can’t think of a more perfect Christmas present to give to family and friends of any age” – Alberto Baldan, CEO of la Rinascente.
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