Beyond Green Conference Explores Craft, Design, and Sustainability

On December 9th 2024, Nova Iskra, as a part of the MADE IN platform project hosted the “Beyond Green: Speculating (G)local Sustainability” conference at the Museum of Science and Technology in Belgrade. The event convened experts from across Europe to discuss the convergence of crafts, design, and sustainability.

Event Highlights:

• Danielle Kuijten from Imagine IC emphasized the significance of shared heritage and community ownership through initiatives like the Neighborhood Archive.
• Simone Rebaudengo of oio examined the intersection of technology with craft and sustainability, referencing an AI-generated atlas of region-specific products.
• Julie De Groot presented insights from Tracks4Crafts, focusing on the evolution of traditional craft knowledge towards future-oriented methodologies.
• Sonila Abdalli showcased practical examples from Destil Creative Hub, illustrating impactful collaborations between local crafts and design.
• Severin Matusek of co—matter discussed how digital advancements are redefining the boundaries between physical and virtual realms, prompting reflection on potential losses in this transition.
• Jelena Simić (IMGGE) and Marijana Janković (fiber/textile artist) explored themes of tradition, emancipation, and imagination from diverse perspectives.

The conference concluded with a roundtable featuring Ana Matić (University of Montenegro), Robert Aleksić (Flux Design Network), Borut Vild (Faculty of Media and Communications), and Maja Vardjan (MAO Slovenia), moderated by Sara Bozanić (Institute for Transmedia Design). The discussion highlighted key themes and opened dialogues on the future of crafts, sustainability, and heritage.

A subsequent workshop encouraged participants to envision the future of crafts and artisanship. One concept that emerged was the “nomadic artisan,” an individual adapting to an unpredictable world by traveling globally in search of materials and opportunities.

This year’s conference held special significance, returning to Belgrade, the city where the MADE IN project commenced four years ago.