Sidmouth Solarpunk looks at how Sidmouth might be ‘solarpunk’ – each responding to the other’s aesthetic (Art Deco/Nouveux, an abundance of green), sustainability aspirations (lots of activity on that front in the Sid Valley) and a tendency to the unconventional (from Dissenters to the first civic arboretum to different kinds of festival)…

All of this goes beyond the somewhat lazy stereotypes of Sidmouth comprising ‘a certain demographic’, as if being over sixty makes people brain dead and unresponsive (and the over-60s were young during the 60s, after all). 

Besides, there are actually ‘young people’ in the Sid Valley to whom the solarpunk ethos should appeal.

We are talking about opening horizons.

And here we can include solarpunk as an environmental art movement. Or seeing solarpunk/cyberpunk science fictions as ‘playgrounds for thought experiments’

And we can be exploring solarpunk through gaming. There is Solar Punk: the survival crafting game and there is Solarpunk: the video game, which is all about constructing new worlds online. 

And over the past couple of years there has been a great swelling of solarpunk-type video games – clearly responding to a need, to a market, to a fascination out there.

Here’s a recent review of The Best Solarpunk Games:

The planet is on fire. Rising sea levels, melting ice caps, droughts, and more frequent hurricanes and tornadoes constantly make the headlines. Some artists have responded by creating works about a bleak, post-apocalyptic future. Others, though, create more hopeful works, which depict humanity using technology as a solution to the climate emergency.

This is what the solarpunk movement imagines; a world where humanity successfully lives in balance with the natural world, and seeks sustainability. Video games have captured visions of what a solarpunk world could look like. These solarpunk games each have their own artistic visions, but they all share a common theme of optimism for the future.

For example:

Abzu is the underwater equivalent of Thatgamecompany’s masterpiece Journey. A lone diver explores the oceans, taking in the beautiful scenery, and overall enjoying the comfy vibes the aquatic world has to offer.

The solarpunk aspect of Abzu includes two crucial elements: biodiversity and high-tech ruins. Over the course of the game, the diver unlocks colorful creatures that return to the water. The game’s protagonist also discovers the remains of an advanced civilization. Both these elements tell a moving story without dialogue, creating a memorable experience.

Have fun exploring!