Olafur Eliasson is known for creating works that explore the relationship between people and their environment, and he often uses natural elements like light, water, and ice in his installations. For example, in "The Weather Project," which was exhibited at the Tate Modern in London in 2003, Eliasson created a giant glowing sun that was suspended from the ceiling of the museum's Turbine Hall, and he also filled the space with a mist that made it feel like the room was filled with fog. The installation was meant to be an immersive experience, and visitors were encouraged to lie on the floor and look up at the sun, which was made to look like it was setting or rising. "The Weather Project" was a major success, and it attracted more than two million visitors during its run at the Tate Modern.
Eliasson's work is often interactive, and he often uses technology to create immersive, experiential installations. For example, in "Your Rainbow Panorama," which was exhibited on the roof of the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Denmark in 2011, Eliasson installed a walkway of colored glass that visitors could walk through. The glass was arranged in a circle, and it was lit from above, so as visitors walked through it, they saw a rainbow of colors. "Your Rainbow Panorama" was also a major success, and it attracted more than a million visitors during its run at the museum.
In addition to his work as an artist, Eliasson is also a professor at the Berlin University of the Arts, where he teaches courses on art, architecture, and sustainability. He is a co-founder of the Berlin-based Institute for Spatial Experiments, which is an educational program that focuses on art, architecture, and design. Eliasson is also a co-founder of the social business Little Sun, which produces and sells portable solar-powered lamps and chargers to off-grid communities in developing countries.