Innovation at the World Expo 1851 - nowInnovation at the World Expo 1851 - now

Het Nieuwe Instituut, in collaboration with research fellow Ruben Jacobs (cultural sociologist), organised two evenings under the title Soft Strategies, a reference to the way in which designers can make technological objects more 'human'. On July 9 2015, the conversation with the designers Vinca Kruk of Metahaven, Marcel Schouwenaar of The Incredible Machine, Simone C. Niquille and Florian Cramer focused on the ethical aspects of the design practice. How ethical can a designer be? How far reaches his ability to influence underlying systems?

Het Nieuwe Instituut, in collaboration with research fellow Ruben Jacobs (cultural sociologist), organised two evenings under the title Soft Strategies, a reference to the way in which designers can make technological objects more 'human'. On July 2 2015, design historian Timo de Rijk and technology philosopher Steven Dorrestijn explored the history and theory behind the - often invisible - morality of objects. What ethical considerations underlie the creation of objects and how can we make this visible?

With the Rotterdam Innovation Market, Het Nieuwe Instituut organised an outdoor exhibition where companies from the Rotterdam region presented their innovative products, processes and concepts. A seminar on the theme of innovation was held on the occasion of the opening on 4 June 2015.