Designer Rogier van der Heide ambassador for the International Year of Light in the Netherlands
The Dutch organisation for the International Year of Light 2015 (IYL2015) has appointed Rogier van der Heide as its ambassador. With his appointment the Foundation International Year of Light 2015 NL has gained an internationally renowned figure in the field of lighting and light design.
UNESCO and the United Nations have proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light. Throughout the world activities will be organised to emphasise the importance of light for our everyday lives. The Foundation International Year of Light 2015 NL is coordinating all of the activities around IYL2015 in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the international organisation . With a wide range of activities and projects IYL2015 will zoom in on all aspects of light: science, art, culture and sustainability. Every facet of light and lighting will therefore be illuminated .
"As a foundation we have numerous ideas for realising the International Year of Light 2015 in the Netherlands throughout the entire year. With the appointment of Rogier van der Heide we not only gain his expertise but also his extensive network in the international world of light and innovation. We are therefore very pleased that Rogier is now our ambassador", says professor Kobus Kuipers, AMOLF group leader and chair of the Foundation International Year of Light 2015 NL.
Rogier van der Heide adds: "I am honoured to be the ambassador. I am very happy to contribute to United Nations' ambition to use light to help solve the grand challenges in energy and welfare and I hope that many organisations in the Netherlands will participate."
Until 1 August Rogier van der Heide was Chief Design Officer at Philips Lighting and since 2011 he has been the Artistic Director of the Amsterdam Light Festival. His designs include the lighting for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and for the Beijing National Stadium, China.
For further information, please contact Sabine Penning
Further information about the Year of Light on the website
Further information about Rogier van der Heide