Depot Boijmans goes dark for WWF Earth Hour

On Saturday 26 March, millions of people, businesses and communities throughout the world will turn off the lights for an hour during Earth Hour, an annual initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). From 8.30 to 9.30 pm local time, this will send a powerful signal for nature and the climate. In these challenging times, Earth Hour offers a collective moment of solidarity to ponder a sustainable and safe future for everybody. In the Netherlands, the switch-off moment is in Rotterdam where Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen will go dark, including 'Het Leven Verspillen Aan Jou' [Wasting Life On You], the large light installation by the Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist that graces the square in front of the depot. Pianist Ruben Hein will provide the musical accompaniment. At precisely 8.30 pm, the sound and light will be abruptly shut off. With this worldwide campaign, the WWF focuses on our planet and everybody who lives there.

The Degradation Economy

Last year, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen opened the online exhibition The Degradation Economy - which can be viewed online - with work by designer Koehorst in 't Veld, Studio Klarenbeek & Dros and the artist collective Atelier Van Lieshout. The exhibition, with works by the three artists/designers, presents various methods for addressing the acute environmental problem. With the three stages of reflection, innovative makership and disruptive poetry, The Degradation Economy shows art and design as pioneers with vision and decisiveness. In a time when statistics are thrown around at a mind-boggling tempo, imagination provides stability. It shows what comes next: a step towards specific solutions and alternatives.

Signal for world leaders

In the period around Earth Hour, negotiations will be taking place in Geneva about the content of the biodiversity treaty. Later this year, the Biodiversity Top (CBD COP15) will be held in Kunming, China. World leaders will come into action there and commit themselves to agreements for retaining the world-wide biodiversity and to ensure that the planet remains liveable. All this should lead to a strong treaty.

About WWF Earth Hour

The initiative began in 2007 in Sydney as a small-scale action that called for attention for climate change. In the years that followed, it developed into the world's largest movement for protecting nature. Last year, millions of people, businesses and organisations in more than 190 countries participated. Earth Hour has also become a by-word in the Netherlands. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the driving force behind the initiative, but now spontaneous events are organised throughout the country; from acoustic concerts and lantern processions to romantic dinners by candlelight.