Eliminating printer material during the biannual art exhibition IJsselbiënnale

IJsselbiënnale worked with TAUW Nederland to make the biannual art exhibition along the IJssel River more sustainable. TAUW calculated with an LCA (Life Cycle Assesment) the environmental impact of the art-travel guide and compared this to the impact of using QR codes instead. The LCA showed a lower impact of a QR code compared to paper guides. The insights from this study resulted in a reduction of printed paper in the exhibition of 2023 and future exhibitions.

The IJsselbiënnale has a more than 130-kilometer-long art route along 27 different works of art along the river IJssel, which will have its 4th edition in 2025. In 100 days, the IJsselbiënnale expects 80,000 visitors, who can visit several cultural activities in theater, music, and art in addition to the outdoor exhibition. The QR code leads to a website and various online content in the form of photos, videos, and sound clips. With this, fewer visitors will depend on a paper guide. Aside from environmental impact, the foundation discovered the importance and challenges of using virtual content in art exhibitions. Finding the balance between usability and sustainability is a trend that Stichting IJsselbiënnale will continue for the exhibition in 2025!

Learn more about the project by reading this report about LCA.