Megapolis Festival discusses energy challenges

Our living environment is full of design in its tangible and intangible forms. City dwellers continuously use, enjoy, consume and experience design in their everyday lives. Can design be energy-efficient? Is there more to design than aesthetics and usability? How can a citizen choose “energy smart” design?

Organised at the Old Student House in Helsinki on Saturday 15 October 2011, the Megapolis Festival will look for answers to global energy challenges and envision the cities of the future with inspiration from Finnish and international speakers.

There will be a varied seminar, as well as interactive accompanying events. The Pixelache Festival will encourage dialogue on the relationship between art and energy, while participants can try generating their own power using an energy crank. Outside the venue, street vendors will offer environmentally friendly, delicious foods.

Jury examines design from many perspectives

Megapolis and the World Design Capital have set up a design jury out of experts from various fields, to seek answers to energy questions and offer different views on design and how to evaluate it. The design jury will assess objects, issues and concepts from perspectives such as energy efficiency and ethical consumption.

The jury is chaired by the Director of Strategic Design at the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development (Sitra), Marco Steinberg. The energy aspects of design will be judged by e.g. Katja Lindroos, journalist, researcher and Master of Art, Hanna Harris, Programme Director at the Finnish Institute in London, Aleksi Neuvonen from Demos Helsinki and Terhi Upola, journalist and blogger at Uusi Musta.

The design jury was composed in collaboration with the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 team. The event will take place in English and can be followed online in real time through the festival website.