Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture organised a stakeholder event on creativity and sustainability on 16 February 2023 in the School's Väre building. The Väre Night Out event unveiled also one of the School's new donor artwork.
The Väre Night Out event featured speeches from the School’s supporters Matti Alahuhta, PhD, long-time CEO of Kone, and Marjo Miettinen, business leader, owner of the family-owned company Ensto and board professional. The research community was represented by Professor Kirsi Niinimäki, who specialises in sustainable fashion industry.
"Twelve years ago, we set very ambitious goals in the Aalto University Board. Now I can say that these goals have been clearly exceeded," said Matti Alahuhta in his speech. "An excellent example is the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, which is now ranked sixth in the world by QS. It has also contributed to the ability of the whole University to think in new ways. This is an important aspect in this day and age for businesses and society as a whole."
"Whether it's art or technology, it appeals to the unrecognised and even unconscious thinking of the mind, allowing us to connect things to something completely new. So you can only imagine what happens when art and technology are combined," said Marjo Miettinen. "Can there be art without technology anymore, or vice versa?"
Tuomas Auvinen, Dean of the School, pointed out the role of creative professionals in building a sustainable future: "Creative professionals such as designers, architects and artists are masters in facing the complexities of modernity. Creative professionals master non-linear ways of working, seek to get to the root of problems, take a holistic view and create inspiring visions for the future. Could these skills be the missing piece our society needs to accelerate the necessary sustainability change and bring it to a successful conclusion?"