PRESS RELEASE
In a packed Stephen Lawrence Gallery at the University of Greenwich took place last Thursday, 19th of September, the official opening of the group exhibition “Diversity and Inclusivity by Design: Empowering Individuals”, which is co-organised by the Design School of the university and the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission.
A group of UK-based Cypriot design researchers have been invited by the exhibition curators, Dr Anastasios Maragiannis, Deputy Head of the School of Design at the University of Greenwich, Dr Marios Psaras, Cultural Counsellor at the Cyprus High Commission, and researcher-designer Mala Siamptani (UAL), to reflect on developments in diversity and inclusivity by design in the current creative Cypriot landscape, explore how design acts inclusively with regards to disability, gender, ethnicity, vulnerability, language or age, and identify key challenges and opportunities where design can add measurable social, commercial and non-commercial value, through research and creativity.
The Practice Design Researchers that have been selected are: Maya Angeli (Set Design), Alina Dheere Babaletsos (Visual Arts/Floral Design), Alexandros Kosmidis (Communication Design), Maria Christina Papaleontiou (Architecture), Dr Stacey Pitsillides (Design Research), Magdalene Theodorou (Jewellery Design), and Mala Siamptani (Participatory Wearables).
The exhibition was launched by the new High Commissioner of Cyprus, Mr. Andreas S. Kakouris, in the presence of Professor Karen Bryan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, and other distinguished guests, including representatives from the Arts Council and the academia, artists, designers, students, and members of the Cypriot community. The opening speeches followed a panel discussion where the artists/researchers presented the conceptual framework of their works. The entire event was recorded and will be promoted to Creative Europe research and cultural centre in Brussels.
The exhibition will be open to the public until October 26, 2019 and will be accompanied by a catalogue and an associated programme of educational and public events. The exhibition will travel worldwide.
