ARTRA is happy to collaborate with Sri Lanka Design Festival in curating a series of art and design talks led by esteemd art and design personalities in the creative industry. 

Saturday, November 10 at Trace Expert, Col 01

1 to 2pm

Dynamics of the modern workplace

Exploring the shift in prioritizing the wellbeing of individuals & the environment at workplaces

Aditi Amalean – MAS/ Founder of Catalyst Cowork 

Catalyst Cowork’s approach to work culture

Iain Smales  - Designer from Co.Design

Dynamics of co working spaces and its impact upon entrepreneurs & lifestyle

Sajani Amarasiri – Founder of Colombo Cooperative 

Building culture, community and importance of collaboration in the workplace

Poornima Wijendra – Deputy General Manager, MAS Fabric & Yogi instructor & Reikhi Therapist

The long-term impact of wellness in corporates, and the response for it from the business community

Moderated by James Balmond, Director of Balmond Studio

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2 to 3pm

Artist’s engagement with the natural world 

Role art plays addressing environmentalism and man’s relationship with the eco-system

Saskia Fernando – Gallerist & Director of Saskia Fernando Gallery & Founder of Art Space Sri Lanka

A study of contemporary artist Prageeth Manohansa’s engagement with the environment

Lalith Manage – Co-director, Theertha International Artists’ Collective

Exploring the manner in which environmentalism has been addressed through the visual & performance works by Theertha Collective

Poornima Jayasinghe – Co-founder and a director of the Collective of Contemporary Artists (CoCA)

Craftsmanship of environmentally conscious art and its potential in engaging man with the natural world

Moderated by Azara Jaleel, Editor of ARTRA Magazine & Curator of Daily ARTRA

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3 to 4pm

Exploring the role of architecture in promoting environmentalism

Discussing humans’ estrangement from nature and the manner in which architecture attempts to re-engage man and the environment through sustainability

Ruchi D Jeyanathan – Architect at The Contemporary Design Studio Pvt Ltd

The role of art, craft and industry 

John Balmond – Architect & Managing Director at The Balmond Studio

Focus on the sustainable measures on Balmond’s hotel projects 

Sunela Jayewardene – Principal Partner at Environemental Design Pvt Ltd

Exploring the role of an environmental designer in the larger context of architecture

Kjell Van Doren – CEO of MVIVO

Manner in which, MVIVO as an architect design house incorporate sustainability in its practices

Moderated by Prasad Boteju

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4 to 5pm

The progress of ethical products and practices in Sri Lanka

Exploring to what extent sustainable design, practices and approaches are reshaping Sri Lanka’s leading industries

Hugo Kaemfer – Co- Founder of Parkville

Feasibility of using sustainable material in creating produce in Sri Lanka

Savera Weerasinghe - CEO of Ananta Sustainables

Ananta’s approach to green packaging & sustainable design

Dr Amanda Kiessel – Co Founder & Director of Good Market

The response to ethical practices & responsible businesses

Moderated by Savera Weerasinghe, CEO of Ananta Sustainables

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5 to 6 PM

Reviving the original Sri Lankan fonts created by the Dutch Press

The social, political, and cultural importance of reviving the original Sinhala type created by the Dutch Press as a free Sinhala, Tamil and Latin script font.

Martin Majoor - Graphic designer and type designer in both The Netherlands and in Poland

Pathum Egodawatta - Mooniak a collaborative design and technology practice in Colombo

Dr Sumanthri Samarawickrama Jayaweera –  Senior Lecturer at the Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa

Moderated by Alain Parizeau, Programme Head of Graphic Design, AOD