torsdag 27. september 2012

Input seminar about design and architecture in Norway

The Norwegian Government has decided to present an action plan for culture and industry. The Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development are cooperating with this plan. To receive input on the progress of the plan, several input seminars have been organized.


I had the opportunity to attend one of them. Its topic was design and architecture and it was held at the Norwegian Center for Design & Architecture, in Oslo. 

 (foto: Michele Widerøe)


At this seminar 17 different speakers within the field design and architecture shared their input with the attendees. After each presentation a designated panel asked them questions.
The main topics were:
 - innovation and entrepreneurship through cooperation and networking, among other things
- funding
- export and internationalization
- knowledge and expertise



Decentralization:

 The topic most interesting for me and my project was the one on cooperation and networking.
It was very positive to hear the director of Norsk Form, Andrea Vaa Bermann comment on the importance of decentralization of knowledge and expertise. As we all know there is only one Design & Architecture Center in Norway and since it is located in Oslo it is very difficult for people from other cities to participate in the activities they offer. Norsk Form has a mandate to promote architecture and design to the whole country. But, they do not have the capacity to do so.


I do not want Norsk Form to establish a subdivision in Tromsø. I want them to support our proposal and give us the means and funds to materialize it. 

A Design & architecture center in Tromsø shouldn´t be the same as the one in Oslo. Tromsø has conditions that are completely different from the ones in Oslo and they have to be taken into consideration.  Professionals from the design and architecture industry, who live and work here, have the knowhow to implement it.

A common arena:

 The importance of the use of design and architecture in society was underlined in this seminar. But, in my opinion, it´s just as important, if not crucial, to show what is being done and by whom in each field. A centre for Design & Architecture in Tromsø will be a place for showing the work of designers and architects in the region. A place where we can obtain expertise and communicate projects.  A place where designers and architects can meet business; a common arena for inspiration and exchanges of ideas, where we can draw inspiration and inspire others.

Other areas within the creative industries, such as film, art, literature, have a common place in Tromsø, but not design and architecture. We want the same thing, we should not aim lower.


onsdag 26. september 2012

Landscape architecture conference in Tromsø



The Autumn Conference 2012

 (foto: Michele Widerøe)

Last week I attended to a Landscape architecture conference here in Tromsø. It was the first time a conference like this was hosted by Tromsø architects. The theme was Urban and Arctic landscapes in change.

There was a wide range of speakers (nine in total) both local and from abroad, and the topics were varied. We could get an insight in the process of designing Japanese gardens, a proposition for marine kelp farm, projects in Greenland, studies about mining towns in the arctic, and last but not least how to use the northern landscape in marketing.

So different, yet so similar. The similarity was as far as I understood that they all touched the question: What is landscape?  this is an essential question when working on the development of it.

I learned that landscape is our overall physical environment, both natural and manmade. That landscape is shaped by the interplay between nature and man. But the most important thing I learned was that landscape is changing and our perception of it has to change too.

It is not every day (not even every year) that I have the possibility to participate in this kind of conferences, so I would like to thank all the people involved on the planning and execution of it. A special thanks to the Tromsø landscape architects involved. You did a great job. The conference place was elegantly decorated, lunch was fabulous and the Arctic adventure dinner was truly an adventure.

Thank you!

(foto: Michele Widerøe & co)