Future sketches of 17 innovation projects
After the first edition of Innovatielabs, writer Twan Eikelenboom outlined future images of the cultural and creative sector. As the second edition continues to unfold, he re-examines what the sector would look like if the changes sought by the projects supported by Innovatielabs #2 become reality. He explores the insights and motivations of the initiators and highlights how they are working toward an agile and resilient future for the sector.
Connect and strengthen
The agile and resilient cultural and creative sector of the future, works from the strengths and qualities that creators and organisations possess. One of those qualities is connecting and strengthening communities Artist Edwin Stolk, who is part of the project Wanted: talented municipalities, sees, for example, that makers have the ability to speak and understand the different languages that “shape, direct and culture our living space. He gained this insight while working on the Heart of Krimpen project for the municipality of Krimpen aan den IJssel.
The languages Stolk names are: 'The political language of ideas, policy and decision-making. The legal language of frameworks and leeway. The practical or technical language through which solutions are worked on. The scientific language of evidence.' And the “commercial language that operates in the service of economics. In this interplay, it is precisely the artistic language that can take the dialogue to another level. Art is visionary and creates new meanings: 'Art can ask questions like why is something the way it is. Art can lead to other perspectives. But also, how does it feel? What do we experience in the process and what does that mean for the environment?'
Art can lead to different perspectives. But also, how does it feel?
A future sector that strengthens and connects communities is sure to include partnership with non-human entities. Think objects or non-human life forms, such as plants, animals and life in the soil. Because while nature doesn't talk like humans do, it does tell us all sorts of things. Maas Lab shows how we can connect with non-humans. The project's initiators are working with the river Meuse to create a multiverse community. One way to make this connection is to become one with the situation. For example, artist Paulien Oltheten was invited, as MaasWachter, to spend a month just waiting on a bank. This is harder than expected, because you have to leave existing expectations behind. You don't have to be useful. You don't have to make your work visible. It is through listening and observing, in a place, that unexpected encounters and new paths present themselves. In this vision of the future, therefore, the sector listens not only to those with a (loud) voice, but especially to that and those without.
Read the full article at the Innovatielabs website.