Art and Inspiration is a fun and quirky category at South By Southwest Interactive because it encompasses so many different topics and ideas. From graphic novels to technology design to ‘how to be interesting,’ there is a little something for everyone. This Top 5 samples from some of the many different faces of Art and Inspiration.
1. Going Graphic with the News
When: Sunday, March 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Omin Downtown, 700 San Jacinto
Hashtag: #plaidapp
John Boyer, senior instructor at Virginia Tech, and Katie Pritchard will be talking comic books.
In their panel description, it states, “Despite talk of graphic novels as a maturing, alternative art form, most of the genre is still dedicated to elementary entertainment…but that is changing fast.”
Boyer and Pritchard will discuss using comics as an interactive, educational medium to inform students about real world events. They will share their story of creating a graphic novel, The Plaid Avenger, on the Mexican drug cartel war. Raising support through social networks and crowdfunding, they’ve created integrated video lessons and updated news feeds to add an interactive element to this novel idea.
2. Creator vs. Audience: Next Chapter in Storytelling
When: Monday March 11, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Omni Downtown, 700 San Jacinto
Hashtag: #newstory
It’s no secret that we’re in a social age, and panelists Angelo Sotira and Ron Martino will discuss the role of the audience in forming and shaping a project’s vision.
Sotira is the CEO and co-founder of DeviantArt, and Ron Martino serves as editor and producer at DeviantArt.
Using real-life examples, they will demonstrate the increasing importance of balancing creative vision while monitoring and utilizing consumers’ feedback for a successful project.
3. How Cheating Death Helped Me Live Without Fear
When: Saturday March 9, 5 – 6 p.m.
Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 E. 4th St.
Hashtag: #livenofear
This session sets the audience up for that truly inspirational feeling you can only get when you’re talking about the end of life. Buddy Media founder and CEO Michael Lazerow has cheated death twice in his life, and he has gone on to sell his company for millions.
Lazerow will share his story and how it has emboldened him to live fearlessly. He’ll share the business innovation, acceleration and growth he’s experienced once fear wasn’t holding him back.
The session addresses two questions of depth: How can we live without fear every day of our lives, and how can we do the unimaginable everyday?
4. Anarchist to Sell-Out: Punks Make Better CEOs
When: Saturday March 9, 5 – 6 p.m.
Where: Omni Downtown, 700 San Jacinto
Hashtag: #deeplocal
Nathan Martin not your ordinary CEO.
He screamed in a touring metal band called Creation is Crucifixion and plotted subversive pranks with the art collective Carbon Defense League.
Today, he is the CEO of innovation studio Deeplocal. Nathan will talk about how his truly unique and unusual past as a subversive artist has influenced how he runs his for-profit business.
When: Friday, March 8, 5 – 5:20 p.m.
Where: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Ballroom G
Hashtag: #hagylife
The perfect intersection of art and inspiration, this cheeky little session drew me in and I couldn’t resist including it. Who doesn’t want to be interesting?
Illustrator Jessica Hagy will discuss what it is to be interesting and will do a little coaching through some of her “deceptively simple” illustrations from her book, “How to be Interesting.” In her session description, we’re left with a great point that made me want to hear more and already has me inspired: “Because it’s what you don’t know that’s interesting.”
Enjoy 12 illustrated verbal resolution’s from Hagy’s blog, Picture This to get revved up for her panel.