Dutch Artist's 'Urban Sun' Installation Uses Ultraviolet Light to Zap Coronavirus

A group of actors dance in a ring of ultraviolet light projected onto a square in Rotterdam from a glowing black orb suspended above them. Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde’s “Urban Sun” installation seeks to harness ultraviolet light to reduce the amount of coronavirus in the air in busy spaces and lessen the risk of transmission. Roosegaarde, who blends science and design in his projects, created the Urban Sun after studies that suggested ultraviolet light in the 222 wavelength, slightly less than the industry standard, is generally safe. Roosegaarde, who has briefly shown the installation twice in Rotterdam, said his hope was “to create places which are safer, instead of being stuck in this Zoom screen all the time”. The Netherlands currently bans public gatherings of more than two people, and has a nighttime curfew in place from 9 p.m. Roosegaarde said his hope was “to create places which are safer, instead of being stuck in this Zoom screen all the time.” Jet Bussemaker, who chairs the Dutch Council of Public Health & Society, said artistic creativity had a role to play during the fight against the pandemic.