Nationality: German
Institution: Bauhaus University, Weimar.

Bio:
My name is Agnes and I was born in Düsseldorf in Germany. Currently I am studying architecture at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. After I finished high school in 2015 I decided to go to New Zealand for some time to travel the country while working on farms. After finished my wonderful Erasmus semester in Milano this February I cannot wait to go back to Italy to get to know new people, to meet some friends again and to work with all of them on the Art Biennale!

Motivation for participation:
My motivation to participate in the Art Biennale in Venice this summer is having the experience of working with people I mostly do not know in a limited amount of time and together producing something that we can be really proud of. I am very keen to learn new techniques and insights in dealing with a task, to get to know new personalities and to work and live with them!

Nationality: Greek
Institution: National Technical University of Athens

Bio:
My name is Anna Konstantopoulou and I am an Architecture student from Greece.
I graduated from school in 2014 and started my undergraduate studies in Architecture at the National Technical University of Athens. During 2018, I studied a semester in Politecnico di Milano as part of the Erasmus exchange program. Throughout the years of my studies, I have participated in three architectural competitions. Two of the competition entries received a mention, while the third one was featured in ‘Dekata’ magazine. In 2018 I was involved in the design of the cover of ‘Dekata’ magazine vol. 54. In 2018, I exhibited my work in the exhibition ‘Santorini Mindscapes’ as part of a student team from National Technical University of Athens.

Motivation for participation:
I really enjoy participating in creative workshops and experimenting with different forms of art. When I was offered a place at the team for the Biennale, I got excited because I knew that every experience with Team Fisker is an adventure.I look forward to collaborating with students from different parts of the world than mine, with different culture, who have the same energy and passion in exploring, creating, communicating and working together. The Biennale of Venice is the best place to do this! All the exhibits from other artists will be a great source of inspiration for me during the workshop and it is an exhibition that I always dreamed I would be part of.

The whole experience will be a great opportunity for me to meet new people, be creative, have fun and develop new ideas and techniques.

Nationality: North Macedonian
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio:
My name is Ardian Murati from North Macedonia. I am currently a master student in Politecnico di Milano in the “Built environment and interiors” Program. I have obtained my primary and secondary education in Macedonia and USA (cultural & educational exchange for one academic year). My undergraduate studies took place at the UACS in Skopje, were I concentrated in architecture and design. Besides architecture, I have taken an interest in art and psychology. My goal for the future is to work in areas and projects where I can combine these three fields.

Motivation for participation:
As an artist, participating in an event such as the Venice Art Biennale is a thrilling experience. The international aspect and multi-cultural participation in the CRAFT workshop is very exciting. I believe that the meeting of different cultures and study backgrounds leads to more evolved topic solution

Nationality: Danish
Institution: Aalborg University

Bio:
As a student of Architecture and Design at Aalborg University I have experience with both group-based work and solo projects. The interdisciplinary methodology inherent to the Aalborg PBLmodel has provided me a variety of tools, with which I approach the development of design solutions.
My key interest involves the relationship between people and their environment in a phenomenological and philosophical perspective. I believe that the design of any object reflects not only a set of basic needs to accommodate, but also the way, in which we understand ourselves and our relation with the surrounding world.

Motivation for participation:
Participating in this international collaboration enables the exchange of experiences, knowledge and views on a given subject, culminating in a creative output that reflects all of the above.
My motivation stems from an interest in the process by which this exchange occurs.

Nationality: Slovenian
Institution: University of Ljubljana

Bio:
I am an art history student, studying at the faculty of arts in Ljubljana. Currently I am concluding the first year of the master studies program at the above-mentioned faculty. My field of interest is medieval and early new age art, particularly sculpture. But I am also interested in history, particularly social and cultural history of the middle ages and the early modern period. To that I would also like to add archaeology, as another field of interest, helping me to better understand the art and life forms of the periods were written sources are rare.

Motivation for participation:
I like to broaden my horizon and exchange experiences with my fellow colleagues. The forthcoming event in Venice is a unique opportunity to do so. To meet new colleagues, exchange knowledge and experiences, from which we all can benefit.

Nationality: Spanish
Institution: Oviedo University

Bio:
César Ripoll Dono (Oviedo, Asturias. 1976). I am a Doctoral student at Oviedo University. Plastic artist and cultural researcher.  Professor of plastic arts (sculpture, painting, engraving, ceramics and artist workshops.  I did collaborations in catalogs and artist books.I have been working for twenty years like teacher and plastic artist. Moreover, I often participate in cultural activities at University and museums.

Motivation for participation:
I think participating at Art Biennale of Venice is an opportunityto learn and know the most interesting plastic activities and the most important artists and collaborators of the Project. It is really important for improve as artist profesional and to know the activities of an event as interesting as international that is Art Biennale of Venice.

Nationality: Greek
Institution: School of Architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Bio:
My name is Christina and I am an architecture student from Greece. I have started my undergraduate studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki since 2015.I believe that architecture is all about travelling and experiencing new ways of living and creating. In 2018, I studied a semester through the Erasmus program at Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’architecture la Villette in Paris, where I had the opportunity to study by a different educational program but also discover the city’s great architecture through the eyes of local teachers and students. By studying architecture, I have also learned to explore, analyze and change my way of thinking in accordance with the circumstances and the new facts of each different case. Studying and making architecture for me is largely based on the capacity of cooperating and adopting group spirit.

Motivation for participation:
Meeting and working with people with different studying backgrounds and nationalities and experiencing a learning procedure at the Art Biennale in Venice through the CRAFT workshop will be a resource for creativity, motivation for more work, an exchange of ideas and different working processes. Furthermore, a workshop taking place at the Art Biennale of Venice provides an inspirational working place, which, in combination with the multicultural background, will bring fresh ideas and creativity to the table that I could not be happier to be a part of. I am more that excited to visit the Biennale for the third time and participate in the CRAFT workshop among people who share the same interest and anticipation.

Nationality: United States
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio: 
Hi, I’m Cort Widlowski.  While my primary education was in The United States, I chose to move abroad to continue to study the relationship between people and architecture. Prior to moving to Europe, I worked as an architect while also running my own photography studio.  My architecture + photography background has strengthened my understanding of how people interact with the built environment but also in how materiality, lighting, and culture come together to make a harmonious space.

Motivation: 
Usually, art is created by a singular artist; however, CRAFT is bringing together an interdisciplinary team from various ages, backgrounds, and cultures to create art, going against the paradigm of the singular artist.  My goal is to not only bring awareness to what the artist can create, but what WE, as a society can create.

Nationality: Portuguese
Institution: University of Aveiro

Bio:
My name is Daniela Gomes and I’m 21 years old. I’m a master’s degree student in Engineering and Product Design at Aveiro University, Portugal. I believe that my background in general design is a plus to my education, which allows me to participate in a variety of projects and to understand and create new concepts and design ideas. I’m constantly involved in different challenges as a way to push myself and test my limits to prepare me to the next step of my life as a professional designer.

Motivation for participation:
This contest was a perfect opportunity to explore my abilities as a design student. The dimension of this activity caught my attention because it offered a “platform” where we could change different ideas and perspectives with people around the world. This is a great way to improve as a person and as a designer.

Nationality: Indian
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio:
Like a sponge trying to extract most out of all experiences the student life has to offer before the corporate world takes control.

Motivation for participation:
Motivation of participation: In an endless search to improve my acumen and hone my skills as a designer, I am excited by fresh perspectives for viewing design. Professor Fisker certainly opened my eyes to novel ways to tackle challenges during the MIAW 2019. I hope the art Biennale based on the European cultural heritage, will be a rich source of understanding different ways interpreting cultural expressions; this has radical possibilities for me. It appears natural for me to go for the workshop at Art Biennale 2019, with all the promise it holds. Thus, my application.

Nationality: Kosovar
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio:
I am Elmedinë Morina, currently concluding my master studies in Architecture program in Politecnico di Milano, Italy. After finishing the bachelor studies in University of Prishtina in Kosovo, I was awarded with an exchange scholarship in the University of Gdansk in Poland, which was followed by other academic and professional engagements in my hometown and abroad. Accept for architecture, film and arts have been two other fields of my involvement throughout the years, which I consider as crucial parts on my formation as a professional.

Motivation for participation:
Alongside architecture, my professional involvement has led me on many artistic projects, among which as Art Director for a Bafta awarded short film and other related experiences on production design and program coordination. Participating in CRAFT Workshop during Art Biennale in Venice is one experience I certainly consider of high significance. I am more than excited to take part on new creative exchanges and impatiently awaiting to learn about the methods of the workshop.

Nationality: Norwegian
Institution/education: Aalborg University/ Architecture & Design

Bio:
Norwegian master student in Sustainable Architecture from Aalborg University.  I admire architecture as the combination of physics and creativity, law and aesthetics, society and criticism, function and form. With futuristic glasses, environmental and social sustainability becomes crucial parts of my design strategy, working and having an interest in all scales. During my education, I´ve had the pleasure of working for both Krogh Arkitekter in Aalborg and Ratio Arkitekter in Oslo. During the next semester, I will be having my internship in CUBO Architecture in Århus.

Motivation for participation:
To work in a multidisciplinary team and experience different design strategies from across Europe, hereby also expanding my network to outside of Scandinavia. This will also be a great opportunity to exercise fast decision-making, fast designs and multiple software combinations. Also, it is an honour to be exhibited at the Art Biennale, in the city of Venice.

Nationality: Portuguese
Institution: University of Aveiro

Bio:
Hi, my name is Guilherme Oliveira and I’m 22 years old. I’m on my first year of master’s degree in Engineering and Product Design at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. My master dissertation is about the design of modular objects for furniture in public spaces, case of study Campus University of Aveiro. During these 4 years I´ve developed some products and prototypes for my subjects and classes. My background in design helps me understand that a product needs to fill several purposes: ergonomic, visual, aesthetic, etc.

Motivation for participation:
I think this experience will be very rich because different people have different opinions and ways of seeing things, and I hope to develop my skills and get to know new perspectives and approaches to design. I’m very happy to have this chance to go to Venice and I can’t wait for September.

Nationality: Slovenian
Institution: Art History at the university of Ljubljana

Bio:
I am a postgraduate student of Art History at the University of Ljubljana. I graduated in 2018 in both Art History and English Language and Literature. Since 2015, I have been an associate of Galerija Fotografija, a photographic gallery in Ljubljana, Slovenia, which decisively pointed me into the research of contemporary art, new media and photography in particular. During this time, I have collaborated with several Slovenian photographers and helped present their work in exhibitions as well as contributed catalogue texts. I study photography of all time periods and movements but am particularly interested in experimentation with the medium and exhibiting emerging artists.

Motivation for participation:
Having experienced an art-related summer school before, I couldn’t be happier to join this year’s Biennale workshop. It is an amazing opportunity to exchange opinions and views with colleagues who work in the field but have different backgrounds and experiences. And, of course, there is no better time to be in Venice than during the Biennale. May we have an interesting time!

Nationality: Portuguese
Institution: University of Aveiro

Bio:
Hi, my name is João Martins and I’m 23. I’m currently finishing my master’s degree in Engineering and Product Design at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. The focus of my master dissertation is to develop a new food processor for a Portuguese appliance company, called Flama. I’ve also worked with other companies during my studies and developed several products. My background in Engineering helps me understand how products are manufactured, but my passion is about product sketching since I believe it’s one of the most important skills for a product designer to have.

Motivation for participation:
I’ve never studied away from home, so I feel this will be a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people and share some knowledge. I hope to develop my skills and get to know new perspectives and approaches to design. I’m very glad to be one of the lucky students that got the chance to go to Venice and I can’t wait for September.

Nationality: Slovenian
Institution: Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana

Bio:
I am Katarina, postgraduate student of Art History and South Slavic Languages and Literature at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This study program allows me to combine my love of arts with linguistics and translation. I spent a year on a student exchange in Zagreb, where I actively researched the comparison of Slovene and Croatian language. During this time, I also worked on a group project Short Circuit, organized by KONTEJNER (a non-profit NGO from Zagreb), which accompanied last year’s Device-art Festival. In October I will be returning to Zagreb in order to begin my internship with WHW (What, How and for Whom), curatorial collective based in Croatia.

Motivation for participation:
I am all up for group projects! Especially if they involve people of different disciplines/worldviews who are moving towards the same goal. I love exchanging ideas that grow into something bigger than life, connecting all the participants in the process. Such an experience is something you cannot forget easily, and I believe it is an important factor in growing as a person – with additional great potential of building longstanding relationships.

Nationality: Slovenian
Institution: University of Ljubljana

Bio:
I have a BA in both English Language and Literature and in Art History. I decided to pursue my interests further and am now a postgraduate student of Art History at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. My main research field is medieval art and architecture. I also work at the National Gallery of Slovenia. Besides exploring medieval frescoes I also love learning foreign languages, discovering new places and learning about different cultures. I try to travel as much as possible in order to gain new experience and to learn more regarding just about any topic I come across.

Motivation for participation:
I come from a village right next to the Italian border and have always had at least some ties with Italy. Naturally, I could never pass up an opportunity to spend some time in Venice. I am also excited to be part of such a project as it will be quite a new experience for me. I look forward to working in a different environment and cooperating with students from all over the world. We can all learn a lot from each other and gain some valuable know-how.

Nationality: South African
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio:
Once graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelors in Architectural studies did a years internship at Wolff Architects in Cape Town followed by half a year’s internship at Taller de Opareciones Ambientales (TOA), Mexico City. At Wolff Architects the focus was on the socio-economic inequalities of South Africa and where we, as architects, are positioned in the systems and dynamics of the city. TOA focused on ecological sustainability through the constant research and use of natural building materials such as adobe, bamboo and timber. I then started my Masters in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano in 2017.

Motivation for participation:
Being a young South African, culture and heritage are things which I believe to be necessary in the development of most practices. I imagine the research of different, previously oppressed, cultures in South Africa will be what allows the country to move forward from some of its events and legacies and so I am curious about how to translate meaningful research into innovation in practice and applying the lessons learned not only to the South African issue but to improve my architectural and life perspective.

Nationality: French
Institution(s)/education: Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Marseille (ENSA Marseille)

Bio:
I’ve always been on the move, never lived more than five years in the same town in France, therefore I learned to appreciate this mobility.
The constant challenge it implies to discover and fit in a new environment is thrilling and the friends, which remains after leaving, are the most reliable.
Architecture studies offered me the chance to pursue this challenging journey through the world by meeting foreign people and by traveling myself. I’m growing up with these exchanges and I’m happy to carry on in Venice

Motivation for participation: 
Do I really need to explain why I want to join this summer school, in Venice ?
Meet students from all over the world, in Venice ?
Learn from teachers whom I would never have the chance to see otherwise, in Venice ?
Take part in this challenging workshop, in Venice ? And last but not least, being in Venice during the Art biennale and having the chance to visit and to contribute to this world famous event?
This invitation is an amazing opportunity that I wouldn’t miss for anything.

Nationality: Spanish
Institution: University of Oviedo

Bio:
Doctoral candidate in Art History, currently enjoying an exchange mobility at the University of Heidelberg. My dissertation is a monograph on the life and work of Navascués, a contemporary Spanish artist mainly active in the 1970’s.In the last few years, I have carried out professional internships at Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Rome, The Fondazione Musi Civici di Venezia – Murano Glass Museum, and the department for museums of the City of Florence. In my home region, Asturias, I have gained a multi-year experience in the field of cultural journalism, both in print and audio visual media.

Motivation for participation:
Coming back to the wonderful Venice. Deeper understanding the teaching/learning methods within the discipline of design and heritage studies. Meeting people with different approaches and backgrounds. Develop intensive work skills. And taking part in the Art Biennale, it is simply amazing.

Nationality: Polish
Institution: Cracow University of Technology

Bio:
I finished my bachelor degree on Cracow University of Technology in 2018 with distinctions. Currently I am doing my master degree on the same university. My current thesis project is focused on revitalisation of old post-industrial area in Cracow called Nowa Huta, place which used to be one of the biggest industrial areas in Poland. In my work, I usually focus on deep research about the subject and trying to come up with original and relevant ideas and solutions. I appreciate originality and individuality of proposed design and ideas. I always try to introduce multidisciplinary attitude and support cooperation with different specialists

Motivation for participation:
My motivation to take part in this CRAFT project is mainly focused on my desire to develop my skills, knowledge and international relationships. There no better chance to do this than this summer school.     

Nationality: German
Institution: Bauhaus-University Weimar/ architecture

Bio:
Hey, my name is Moritz and I´m currently studying architecture at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. After I finished my primary education in 2014, I decided to travel for a couple of months through the wonderful New Zealand. It was one of the greatest experiences for me to meet new people every day and to see things in a different way. The Erasmus semester in Milano gave me nearly the same experience. So I’m already excited to go back to Italy for the Venice Biennale to meet some friends and get to know all the other students from different countries.

Motivation for participation:
I think one of the best things in life is to produce something you can be proud of. If this happens as a team it is even better!! And where could that work better than on the Venice Biennale with a bunch of motivated students from universities all over the world. I think it is a great opportunity for us to exchange experiences, develop new work skills and find different perspectives. I’m so thankful to Miss Fisker and her team for this chance and I think it is a great honour to be part of such an awesome exhibition. Already looking forward to a week full of creativity!

Nationality: Danish
Institution:Aalborg University, Cand.polyt Architecture

Bio:
Architecture student from Aalborg, currently at 8th semester with specialization in tectonic design. Interested in creating sustainable architecture which is integrated in the atmosphere of the site. Combining a phenomenological hands-on approach with parametric design and computer aided structural analysis.

Motivation for participation:
Learning to work intensive and cross-disciplinary in an international team. Experiencing different design approaches. The honour of being part of the Venice biennale.

Nationality: Spanish
Institution: University of Oviedo

Bio:
PhD candidate with a ‘Severo Ochoa’ fellowship at the University of Oviedo in Spain.
Currently, she is working on her PhD project ‘Religious architecture during Francoism in Asturias. From rebuilding to renovation’ at the University of Oviedo.
Her research focuses on restoration and rebuilding in Spain during the 20th century and its different implications as well as on Cultural Heritage.

Motivation for participation:
Although I have mainly been focused on architecture and heritage from an art historian’s point of view, I am really motivated to take part in this experience since I consider it would provide me with an extraordinary opportunity to deal with Cultural Heritage in a different way: getting out of my comfort zone, not being only an observer and trying to be as proactive as possible.

Nationality: Polish
Institution: The Faculty of Architecture of Cracow University of Technology

Bio:
Radosław Mazgaj is young, ambitious student of architecture dreaming that his work would become the greatest life passion. He is an active person. He loves travelling, inspiring people and new experiences. In particular, his interests are modern architecture, Polish and Balcan traditional culture and politics on the local level. 

Motivation for participation:
Let’s assume that we would not go to any workshops, we would stay in our cities, doing our everyday duties. How many tones of experiences we would lose?! Every change in our lives, even for a week or two is thousands of times more valuable than staying in our comfort zone or everyday routine. Thanks to the changes we can grow. That’s why we should change for Venezia in September!

Nationality: Iranian
Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Bio:
Hi, I’m Ramin Dorri. After I finished my primary education in Iran, I decided to move to Italy to continue to study architecture in an international environment. Before architecture, I studied civil engineering, and after graduation, I decided to follow my dream, which was design and architecture. My background in civil engineering gave me a better understanding of construction process, material and stability. And when it comes to the architecture it makes me always consider many aspects in both artistic a scientific point of view.

Motivation for participation:
I consider myself as a designer. A designer has one of the hardest responsibilities in this world. A designer must inspire, teach, organize, make united and lead other people. Not only people of now but also the people who will live in future. I would like to participate CRAFT project, which is a multidisciplinary project that let the people from various culture, educations, backgrounds, talent and abilities to work together as a team to design, create, inspire, and lead; in the other word, to create Art. My goal is to learn from other people as much as I can, and work together to create a dream all together.

Nationality: Italian
Institution:Politecnico di Milano. Master degree in Building Architecture

Bio:
Sara Tacchella was born in Verona, Italy, in 1993. She got a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture atthe Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) with a thesis called “19+1 Waterfront cities. Border lines as living spaces”.  Sara is getting a Master in Building Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. She’s part of Interzona, a laboratory for Art and independent culture based in Verona, promoting the expressions of the artistic scene in music, performative and visual arts, in theatre, cinema and literature, with particular attention to experimental and innovative forms.

Motivation for participation:
I was born in Verona, a city close to Venice. Due to the cultural heritage of Italy and, for my personal case, my city, I’ve always been closely interested about the world of art and architecture. One of the things that I’ve learned from art is that it’s unpredictable. The great contribution of art to our thinking is giving us this thins that we can’t ever fully work out, something that we can’t fully resolve.Anyone can experience art and get something out of it but it means that you have to pay attention to your response, particularly talking about contemporary art. But there’s always a certain point in which you’ll find yourself wonder “what does it mean?” and felling insecure because you don’t know what it means. It’s a feeling of never-ending curiosity. Curiosity is surely one of the engines that move my research. I’m a curios person, I love experience, test myself.

Nationality: Malaysian
Institution: Politecnico di Milano, MSc. Building Architecture

Bio:
Hoping to design spaces for a living, always finding opportunities to learn and experience life, and to live.

Motivation for participation:
Meeting people and experiencing life, art & design may come from anywhere, anytime, anyone.