Presentation of US ambassador Bruce J. Oreck
How can we do our share in tackling climate change and contribute to positive changes? How do we look at the situation – as an inconvenient problem or rather as a new challenge that could be a start to new innovations, business ideas and positive changes in the patterns of our lives and the society? These questions were discussed in the seminar “Never Mind the Copenhagen” organised by Demos Helsinki.
On Friday 19th March, the seminar gathered about 500 people at the Bio Rex film theatre in Helsinki. Speakers from different disciplines – science, media, advertisement, large companies and private entrepreneurs – gave us refreshing and inspiring viewpoints and ideas. The focus was not in looking at charts of carbon dioxide and world temperatures, but rather about new, positive ideas and attitudes. (more…)
Excerpt from the project "8-Bit Cities" by Brett Camper
Kickstarter is one example of the great inventions of the Internet era: a clever funding platform for creative projects: artists, writers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, adventurers – or almost anything. One of the most recent examples is the “8-Bit Series” which turns real-world maps into 8-bit video games. The 1980s video nostalgic turns out to be exceptionally successful, since this project reached its funding goal of S3000 in only 24 hours!
Through Kickstarter one can find funding from friends, fans or total strangers. You need to present your idea in the form of an interesting story and promise some kind of reward to the investors – still maintaining 100% ownership of your idea. More than a funding tool, Kickstarter is actually a database of a bunch of interesting ideas.
Many of the Kickstarter projects actually share an urban or community-based goal; projects for urban farming, street-shaped earrings and urban gathering places have found their funding. A worthwile tip for anyone wishing to put up their own urban dream project. The only shortcoming is that the current beta version only works in the US.
Who is going to develop the Kickstarter for Europe?
Kickstarter is an example of the great inventions of the Internet era. It is a clever funding platform for creative projects: for artists, writers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, adventurers – or almost any other kinds. One of the most recent examples is the “8-Bit Cities” project which turns real-world maps into 8-bit video games. The 1980s video game nostalgic turns out to be exceptionally successful, since this project reached its funding goal of $3000 in only 24 hours!
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Gando Primary School, photo: Francis Kéré
Wednesday 3rd February, people in Helsinki had the chance to see a very unique architecture lecture. Architect Diébédo Francis Kéré, originally from Burkina Faso, gave a heartwarming presentation of his projects that go far beyond the common limits of architecture. Following his motto, “help to self-help”, Kéré’s approach is all about humanity: building to fulfill a need, with simple, local materials and techniques – and most importantly, for and with local people.
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