Creativity sets example for action
Another highlight of the Festival was the “Hong Kong Mini Maker Faire”, organized by the Hong Kong Maker Club and held in conjunction with numerous maker-related workshops staged by the School of Design. Combined, the events attracted inventors, designers and creators who wanted to build new tools or systems to improve the world. Workshops covered a wide range of topics, from mixing soap and body lotion, to crafting toys with a 3D printer and teaching children to write computer programmes.
Meanwhile, local inventors, artists and craftsmen showed off numerous projects. Attendees could watch a robot doing kung fu or playing with a handmade wooden pipe organ, among many other opportunities.
Challenging the future together
The final two days of the Festival saw J.C.DISI looking to the next generation of innovators. In the "Asian Consortium" on 18-19 October, organizers gathered young people from across Asia to get connected for future international and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The first step was the "Network Conference" on 18 October. At this all-day meeting, attendees presented their creative ideas and gathered in meetings to discuss possible future collaborative projects. That night, the Consortium members had the opportunity to relax at the "Changemakers Party", where attendees networked while learning about Hong Kong’s social initiatives. On the last day of the Festival, J.C.DISI hosts took the young participants on a tour to notable sites around Hong Kong, hopefully inspiring them with new ideas.
As an Asian signature event in design and social innovation, the 10DayFest lived up to its promise for a second consecutive year. Other events in the solid schedule included everything from organic rooftop farming workshops, a “Happy Summit” and design workshops for older people to theatre-related workshops and more. Not only did attendees see Hong Kong’s creative community at its best, but they also gained the chance to encounter vital, creative solutions to social concerns that are manifest now and will continue to dog us all in the future. ♦
