Paradise by the laptop light

During the Wereld van de Witte de With festival in 2008, Koert van Mensvoort gave the official opening presentation, “Paradise by the Laptop Light.” This multidisciplinary show took place in the former Netherlands Photo Museum and playfully combined science, art, and technology around the theme of “Next Nature.”

Van Mensvoort took on the role of showmaster, guiding the audience through a vision of the future where nature and technology merge. Through short films, lightning talks, and interactive elements, the program explored how our definition of nature is shifting under the influence of technological progress. Rather than viewing nature as something purely natural, he argued that we now live within a culturally shaped ‘next nature.’

“Paradise by the Laptop Light” offered a fresh — and at times confronting — perspective on our relationship with sustainability and technology, perfectly aligning with the festival’s broader theme, “Green.” Mothership acted as curator and project manager, in collaboration with Stichting De Loodsen and September in Rotterdam (Rotterdam Festivals).