NewDesignduemilasedici – Creativity in Italian Arts education

The Architecture Biennale of Venice hosted the award ceremony of the 7th national competition “NewDesignduemilasedici – Creativity in Italian Arts Education,” in the Sala delle Colonne of Ca’Giustinian. It is dedicated to “#insieme per oggetti, immagini e spazi del quotidiano” (#together for everyday objects, images and spaces). It was established in 2009 to promote and encourage design and innovative skills among talented youngsters. This year, for the first time, the competition was extended to students at Italian high schools abroad specialising in the arts. The aim of the Italian Education and Foreign ministries was for this to be part of Foreign Ministry efforts to coordinate the promotion of  Italian design in the world through its diplomatic network. The competition is also part of the measures promoted by the Joint Action for the Italian Language in the World and is included in the programme of events of the 16th week of Italian Language in the World. The “Antonio Raimondi” high school in Lima, Peru, which specialises in the arts, was given a special mention for designing a new type of sustainable bus shelter. Its signature feature is a continuous line (hence its name “Continuum”). The shelter is  made out of wood, with solar panels on top. It has plugs on the sides of the seat that can be used to recharge electronic devices. On the sides of the shelter there is an interactive map of all bus lines and their routes. The back is equipped with a rack to park bikes. The shelter prototype is on display in the exhibition at the Tese dei Sopplachi dell’Arsenale, together with the best prototypes developed by schools in metropolitan areas.