Open Call | Circular Cultures Design School 2024

Materiality- Immateriality in Circular Design

In an era of unprecedented technological progress, the intersection of age-old craftsmanship and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence gives rise to a vibrant conversation between the tangible and the intangible. This encounter between the physical realm of materials and the digital innovation domain reshapes the limits of creative expression. The juxtaposition of traditional craftsmanship with the transformative capabilities of AI technologies seeks to cultivate a deep reimagination of how materials are utilized and understood

This synergy not only redefines the limits of human ingenuity, but also raises critical questions about ethics and innovation.

In an ever-changing urban and rural landscape, we investigate the essence of public spaces, examining how they can be shaped, revitalized, and enriched, to eventually evolve into agents of coherence, culture, and sustainability. Matter and emerging technologies become tools for building new digital and physical worlds in which existence evolves into experience.

Guided by experienced tutors and speakers, participants will explore and push the boundaries of substance. They will delve into the diverse applications of matter—whether materializing from the digital realm to the physical world or existing as immaterial yet structural. This exploration extends to matter as a conduit for culture, a catalyst for ethics, and a symbol of freedom.

After five successful events and dozens of participants, Circular Cultures (Making Matters) is evolving into a 4-day Design School aimed at developing participants’ skills in two thematic strands: "Materiality" and "Immateriality" in circular design.

The program takes place in Athens and the official language is English.

Thematic strands

In this year's Circular Cultures Design School, we are experimenting with Public Space on two levels:

Strand A (Materiality) delves into the tangible materials that make up Public Space. We explore the art of Placemaking, which harnesses circular materials, eco-friendly textures, and sustainable design principles to create appealing, functional, and culturally rich environments. We investigate how the identities of the communities that coexist in this space are reflected in matter, while also facilitating sustainability and minimizing environmental impact. Finally, we explore the impact of technology in the development, conception, and selection of innovative and sustainable materials.

Strand B (Immateriality) investigates the limitless possibilities of digital space and cutting-edge technologies as tools for creating new worlds (Worldbuilding). We immerse ourselves in the immaterial aspects of urban and rural landscapes, where augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things converge to reshape our urban experiences. The boundaries of physical spaces are blurring, and innovative technologies are paving the way for immersive and interactive environments based on principles of sustainability and circularity.

Strand A: Materiality

• Lecturers: Poor Collective
• Speakers: Boulouki

Strand B: Immateriality

• Lecturer: Ploipailin Flynn (AixDesign)
• Speaker: Vali Lalioti (UAL Creative Computing Institute)

Important Dates

- Application deadline: March 18, 12:00 noon UTC+2

- The results will be announced on March 20

- Program duration: March 26-29; 17:00 - 21:00, daily

*Participation is mandatory throughout the entire duration of the program.

Circular Cultures Design School

Circular Cultures Design School offers a unique, experiential learning opportunity and provides a collaborative space for creatives and designers to explore the intersection of sustainability and circular design with creativity, innovation, and new technologies.

The Program includes:

• 2 Strands of 15 persons each
• 4 Days under the guidance of expert tutors
• Guest speakers and visits
• Group work, Prototyping and collaborative design practices
• A networking Event

Circular Cultures (Making Matters) is the British Council's sustainable design and creative economy program in Europe that focuses on promoting awareness of sustainable design, circularity, and the creative industries. It seeks to foster critical dialogue about design and circularity, develop skills and knowledge for leading creatives, and build European networks about sustainability and circularity.

In Greece, Circular Cultures is organized in partnership with Onassis Stegi and is a key part of the Onassis Foundation's larger collaboration with the British Council to develop an active public platform for ethical and circular design, materials, and sustainable fashion.

Onassis ONX, the Onassis Culture international new media and digital culture program, will join forces with the British Council for another year to organize Circular Cultures (Making Matters), a program aimed at strengthening the dialogue around sustainability, circularity in design and architecture, with an emphasis on the exchange of knowledge and good practices and the development of pan-European networks.

Who it is for

We invite creatives, crafters and designers from all disciplines to participate in the CC Design School and contribute to the growth of the circular design community by sharing their experiences, knowledge, and curiosity. We are looking for 30 participants (15 per thematic strand) with innovative ideas that promote dialogue and reflection around social, cultural, and ethical issues, while adhering to the principles of sustainability and circularity.

* Although participation in the program is on an individual basis, a single participant may represent organizations, groups, or collectives.

Participation Requirements

- Online Application Submission

- Previous experience (Portfolio)

- Availability to attend the entire CC Design School

- Active participation and willingness to collaborate and contribute to community development

More details can be found in the Terms & Conditions.

For any clarification, please contact digital@onassis.org

Circular Cultures Design School is part of the Onassis Foundation's international digital arts program, Onassis ONX. Onassis ONX is an Onassis Culture initiative dedicated to promoting digital arts through educational activities, artistic incubation and acceleration services, project development funding, and artist networking and presentation opportunities. Onassis ONX actively collaborates with industry leaders, institutions, and international networks to support the development of immersive experiences using new narrative media such as XR/VR/AR, Artificial Intelligence, Spatial Computing, etc.

Originally known as ONX Studio, Onassis ONX was established in 2020 by the Onassis Foundation and NEW INC, soon growing into a global program that supports creators from concept to distribution. Operating in Athens and New York, it connects these dynamic cultural hubs while also expanding local and international new media scenes. Onassis ONX members are active on all continents, and their work has been featured in the world's largest events and festivals, including the Venice International Film Festival, Ars Electronica, and the Plásmata exhibitions in Athens and Ioannina.

The British Council is Britain's international organization for the promotion of cultural relations and the provision of educational opportunities. We foster a friendly environment of knowledge and understanding between people living in Britain and other countries. We achieve this by making a positive contribution to Britain and the countries with which we collaborate, with the goal of changing people's lives through the creation of opportunities, the development of relationships, and the promotion of trust.

We work with over 100 countries worldwide in the fields of arts and culture, English language teaching, education, and civil society. Last year, we reached over 80 million people in person and 791 million people via the internet, broadcasting, and publishing. We are a British charity founded in 1934 that is governed by the rules of the Royal Charter and is subject to the British public service. In 2024, we will be celebrating 85 years of operation in Greece.

For more information, please visit our Arts Programmes page. To learn more about our work, please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our arts newsletter.