Global initiative to foster creativity and innovation
The international creative think-tank BE OPEN Foundation continues to support cutting-edge educational initiatives in London. Partnering with the Mayor’s Fund for London and the Greater London Authority, the Foundation will be lending its expertise and support to ‘London Curriculum’ – a unique and ambitious project, set to revitalize teaching and learning across the city.
The initiative is supported by the BE OPEN foundation. Its aim is to introduce young people from disadvantaged areas of London to the fascinating world of astronomy. The project ‘Discovery within a Week’ brings together PHD astronomy students from UCL’s Physics and Astronomy department to mentor secondary school pupils and guide them through the materials and technology.
The current tour of the global design award established by BE OPEN Foundation has come to its completion – on April 28th, at the amazing Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery BE OPEN announced and awarded the main winner of YOUNG TALENT AWARD as well as the winner in the ‘Founder’s choice’ category.
The main prize of 16 000 Euro was awarded to the Otros Perez design studio based in Santiago de Chile. Founded and headed by Catalina and Jeronimo Perez the studio creates visual identities, graphics, communication strategies, websites, etc. The young designers have already cooperated with the Chilean Government, a number of Chilean universities and public organizations.
The jury of BE OPEN YOUNG TALENT AWARD has selected 10 candidates to enter the short-list of finalists. The main winner as well as the Founder’s choice winner will be announced at an awarding ceremony in Nottingham, UK, on April 28th, at the annual Cumulus conference. The online voting for the web choice winner will continue till May 15th.
The selected finalists are Sofia Drum Bento (USA), Jacque Kemp (USA), Natalie Mcqueen (USA), Catalina Perez (Chile), The Clocksmiths (Italy), Jenifer Wisler (USA), Pablo Gonzalez (Chile), Caroline Konarkowska (New Zealand), Passport Design Bureau (UK) and QQO (Italy).
The new tour of YOUNG TALENT AWARD – a grant by BE OPEN to support young professionals – presents the international jury, whose task will be to define the winner of a 16,000 Euro prize.
The award is a grant to support young designers’ day-to-day living expenses throughout a year, helping them develop their work at this critical early stage in their career. Described as an ‘incubator for young talent’, seeking out designers who have only recently completed their studies and are making their first steps in a design career, the award will allow the winner to continue working at their own pace, experiment with both practical and conceptual projects.
The Mayor’s Fund for London, in partnership with BE OPEN and Berkeley Foundation, hosted a breakfast seminar at City Hall on 25th February titled: Creativity Works ‘Igniting inspiration for young Londoners’.
BE OPEN Foundation has joined forces with the Mayor’s Fund for London to help young unemployed Londoners play a greater part in the future of the capital – through the arts. Elena Baturina has supported the Mayor’s Fund for London initiative, providing a major boost to 17-24 year-olds across the city through arts-based employability programme Creativity Works.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Patron of the Mayor’s Fund for London, said: “To ensure London’s status as the indisputable global capital of culture and creativity, it is vital that young Londoners are equipped with the skills they need to enter this most dynamic of sectors. Creativity Works is an excellent way for youngsters to bridge the gap between their artistic talent and the immense opportunities available to them in our city, and having BE OPEN Foundation on board will help to make a real difference. It is fantastic to have supporters like this backing the Mayor’s Fund for London and I hope other individuals and organisations will get on board to help this great cause.”
Saatchi Gallery, London
13 January – 9 March 2015
In January 2016, an exhibition by Azeri and Russian artist Aidan Salakhova opened in Saatchi Gallery with support from international businesswoman and philanthropist Elena Baturina. Baturina, who is Russian but now resides in London, provided support to the ‘Revelations’ exhibition, which showcases the work Salakhova across painting, drawing, video and sculpture.
Aidan Salakhova is an artist based in Moscow and Carrara, Italy, who works in sculpture, painting, drawing and video. Revelations, curated by Jenny Christensson, will bring together new work, alongside works exhibited at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art in 2012.
In a crowded press conference held at the Braidense Library inside the historic Brera Academy of Fine Arts, Elena Baturina, Russian businesswoman, philanthropist and founder of BE OPEN Foundation represented by director Genandy Terebkov, has received a special diploma from Martin Kater – director of the Botanical Garden – on behalf of Milan University for the important contribution made by the BE OPEN Foundation for the restoration of the Brera Botanical Garden with the new Pool of Thoughts designed by Politecnico di Milano.
