Entrepreneurship In The Combination Of Art And Technology : X-Pact
SUMMARY
Just over a year ago companies and cultural and scientific institutions in the region of Twente, in the East of the Netherlands, initiated X-pact. The basic purpose of the organisation is to bridge the gap between art, science, technology and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is supposed to be the driving force for this symbiosis between art and technology.
In the spring of 1999 the concept was promoted within the region and it took less than one year to create a network of around 60 people. The official foundation of X-pact, network for art, science, technology and entrepreneurship took place in the summer of 1999. The board consists of representatives from the worlds of art, science, technology and entrepreneurship. Major players from technological and art institutions have become members of the advisory board.
Examples of X-Pact activities are the organisation of exhibitions, entrepreneurship training of artists, matching entrepreneurs to artists in combination with technology, promotion of arts with technology, the foundation of a multimedia laboratory, a professorship on art and technology at the University of Twente, a minor on art and technology at the university and the art academy, and a big event dealing with new art restoration techniques.
X-Pact is expected to generate new business in the region, to foster entrepreneurship among artists, to make use of the potential of new technologies and to increase the reputation of the region of Twente.
1. INTRODUCTION
In the ancient world, art and technology were closely related. The Greeks had only one word for both: "technè". Art and technology were not respected compared to exalted science. Then, during the Renaissance, people like Leonardo da Vinci made the connection between art and science. However, during the seventeenth century, the age of reason, humanities and science became separated and opposed to one...
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