Climate change is moving forward, and with it, the problems that arise for people and nature. But global economic growth continues to demand more and more energy. Therefore, it is essential that we transform our fossil-fuel-based energy systems to those with renewable energy sources to maintain or even expand prosperity and stability. The challenges are global, so energy transition must be a global project in which governments, companies, scientists and citizens participate.
However, people's wishes, objectives and experiences in this context are very different, as are the perspectives of other stakeholders. This makes a broad exchange of knowledge and experience, close dialogue, and mutual understanding all the more important.
The Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Society for International Collaboration, GIZ for short) asked us:
To develop an exhibition that informs people worldwide about the subject of energy transition on behalf of the German Federal Government. This exhibition is intended to:
- Increase understanding of the importance of the global energy transition project and to reduce scepticism
- Appeal to a wide range of audiences, from business representatives and politicians to scientists and citizens
- Be interactive, spark curiosity and provoke reflection
- Be adaptable in terms of content and language, so that it can be used across borders and in many cultural contexts and without losing relevance
- Provide spatial flexibility so that it can be adapted to different locations
Strategy & Realization
Germany wants to promote and facilitate energy transition around the globe with an exhibition on the subject.
The exhibition will be shown in German Embassies and other renowned institutions around the world and is directed both at experts from politics, business, and science, as well as at the general public.
Photo Credit/Copyright: GIZ
THE IDEA
How do you enable these diverse audiences to see the bigger picture? How do we make them understand the positions of other stakeholders and communities?
By offering them a change of perspective. We exhibited energy transition – the multi-layered and highly complex subject of our exhibition – from four perspectives: from the point of view of politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and the general public.
Visitors can switch between these perspectives at any time during their visit, allowing them to gain a whole new understanding – increasing their motivation and eagerness to cooperate.
Photo Credit/Copyright: GIZ
THE EXHIBITION
The entire experience of information, the entire dramaturgy as well as the architecture of our exhibition, builds on the idea of changing perspectives.
The architecture of the exhibition is minimalistic. The motif of the cube is central here, with its four sides exemplifying the idea of four perspectives.
The focus is on the digital experience. Not just because this facilitates the change of perspective, but also because the exhibition can then be adapted to local conditions at any time – especially with regard to language and cultural nuance.
THE CUBE
To visually draw visitors into the exhibition right from the start and to give them an easy introduction to the complex contents of the exhibition, we created a special format: The Energy Transition Cube.
This cube offers an overview of central energy transition topics. Each side illuminates the topic from a different perspective. Printed canvases show the theme worlds on each side and visitors can activate rear projections via touchpoints. They impressively show the fundamental change that the energy transition is bringing to all our lives. The technology behind the Energy Transition Cube was developed by us especially for the exhibition.
At other cubes, visitors can then explore the topics of the exhibition in greater depth. Interactive “fact-journeys”, scroll-activated applications, life-size video interviews with testimonials from experts from all over the world – this is just some of the digital content that awaits the guests. They can discover what the energy industry's biggest challenges are in the transition to renewable energies, how new mobility concepts are taking over cities from Barcelona to Ecuador, or where scientists see the greatest need for research.
An info-lounge serves as a meeting point and opportunity for exchange and further education. It functions as a digital media library where visitors can find further international and local material on the energy transition and connects the exhibition with the corresponding website.
Photo Credit/Copyright: GIZ
RESULTS
German Embassies and partner organizations around the world are proactively requesting the Federal Foreign Office's Energy Transition Exhibition – despite the corona restrictions currently in place in many places. The exhibition is currently touring Asia and at least 12 stops worldwide are planned in 2021 alone.
At each tour stop, the partners organize on-site lectures, discussion events and workshops with international experts in order to further elaborate on the topics of the exhibition and to enter into direct dialogue.
Photo Credit/Copyright: GIZ Vietnam