Monthly Archives: November 2008

Karonkka tradition

Anthropology, General

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“Dissertation karonkka is an old academic tradition. It is organized in honor of the Opponent. In karonkka, the Respondent also has the opportunity to thank her/his teachers, instructor and supporters for the help in different stages of the dissertation work. Karonkka is not a family festivity, although in addition to spouse, some close adult friends or relatives may be invited…” Read more

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Here are a couple of photos from Paula Bello Aragana’s karonkka. Paula was awarded a Doctor of Arts (In Art and Design) for her thesis on the topic of globalization.  For more information about her work see: Paula Bello’s dissertation, Goodscapes: Global Design Processes.

Una canción para terminar con uno y comenzar con otro…

America, Art, General

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Or “A song to end one and begin a new year”. Rock and roll has had a profound influence in different cultures throughout the world. The Latin American continent is no exception. Here is a live recording of the hit song, De pies a cabeza, by the legendary Mexican group, Maná. The song became quite famous, as it was used in the Spanish trailer of the Brazilian soap opera, Vampi. Dating to around 1993, this soap might be considered a precursor of the North American TV production of Buffy the Vampire. Here is a clip from an episode with the main character, Natasha, in Venice.

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A clip from the great Venezuelan rock group, Desorden público: Truena, truena… In its simple but original use of editing and special effects, the video is a wonderful example of creative elegance.

Digital Matter and Intangible Heritage

Anthropology, Design, Visualization

Finally! The special double issue on Digital Matter and Intangible Heritage edited by Lily Díaz and Maurizio Forte and published in the International Journal of Digital Culture and Intangible Heritage (IJDCE) by Inderscience Publishers is online and with the printed version to follow shortly.(See post on August 3, 2007 for initial call for papers.)

The web pages of the journal, table of contents (ToC) for the issue as well as an introductory essay by the editors can be accessed here: IJDCE Special Issue: Digital Matter and Intangible Heritage.

The issue deals with questions such What is intangible heritage? What new developments does the digital dimension afford to the areas of Culture and Heritage? What new paradigms for interaction emerge from the combination of more traditional humanistic practices such as Archaeology, History, Museum Studies with the newly emerging digital practices?

It features contributions by leading experts in areas such as embodiment, user experience from an ecological perspective; virtual tourism, journey and destination in the virtual dimension; new notions of audience and economic models as well as the development of new practices.

The issue concludes with a showcase of works by students from the Media Lab Helsinki.

For more information please contact me.

“Cutting research is not the option”

Design, General

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Such were the words of Jorma Olilla, CEO of Nokia when speaking about the current global crisis and its effects on corporate revenue. According to Olilla this is the time to invest and develop new research ideas into innovations that can capture the market.

Citing from the experience of the recession in Finland during the early 1990’s Olilla pointed out that when the time came, Nokia was ready to take advantage and decisively deploy devices based on the new GSM standard.

Mr. Olilla spoke during the annual event of the Nokia Foundation. The event, that was held in the Vanha Ylioppilastalo was hosted by Mr. Henri Tirri, Head of Nokia Research Center. Approximately 250,000 Euros were distributed, mostly to young researchers.

Sampo Karjalainen, former colleague at the Media Lab and and his partner Aapo Kyrölä were given the Nokia Foundation Award for 2008 for their work as founders of Sulake and creators of Habbo Hotel.