WORLD OF IDEAS SYMPOSIUM

There is an increasing number of people in the creative industries that are engaged around the world and connected with an international network of creative minds. One’s self-conception is frequently put to the test in many ways on other continents: creativity and ingenuity are defined and evaluated differently depending on the cultural and political context. The ‘World of Ideas Symposium’ reflected on those issues featuring renowned producers and thinkers of the creative world, such as Harald Gründl, Katarina Posch, Sebastian Olma and Gerald Nestler.

The symposium turned the spotlight on the concept of “idea” in a global context. Six protagonists of the creative industries – from Vienna, Amsterdam, New York, Beijing and Harare – discussed the value and significance of ideas in relation to their personal world. They challenged common preconceptions about the topic and offered approaches to support creative minds in their own international endeavours. Participating in the discussion were designer and design anthropologist Harald Gründl from Vienna, social entrepreneur Hiu Ng from Beijing, cultural activist and creative director Paul Brickhill from Harare (Zimbabwe), sociologist and consultant Sebastian Olma from Amsterdam, Professor for the History, Theory and Criticism of Design Katarina Posch from New York and artist Gerald Nestler from Vienna. The discussion was lead by Gerald Straub, applied cultural theorist from Vienna.

Both film and talks was sponsored by go international – an initiative by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs -, the arge creativ wirtschaft Austria/evolve and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Art and Culture.

The symposium served as a backdrop to the launch of the book entitled A Way Beyond Creative Industries (Ed: Robert Punkenhofer, Folio Publishers, Vienna). (link to project)

The symposium was conceived by Robert Punkenhofer and Eric Pöttschacher and organised by the Creative Industries Office of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, and sponsored by go international – an initiative by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs –, the arge creativ wirtschaft austria/evolve and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Art and Culture.

Photos © Rainer Fehringer