The fourth Edition of Otlet Salons takes place in the Open University of Diversity, nerve centre to the diverse activities of internationally renowned artist Koen Vanmechelen (https://koenvanmechelen.allyou.net/). Vanmechelen, best know for his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, entertains and lectures his audience on the necessity of both a mental and physical space where people can share ideas. Prof. Dr. Caroline Pauwels (VUB) and Prof. Dr. Luc De Schepper (UHasselt, the rectors of two Flemish universities reflect on diversity, crossbreeding and the future of their institutions. Fusing arts and science is the way to go according to artist and panel members. They agree that within universities there needs to be a balance between real freedom and being productive at the same time and making sure there’s a return to society. The lively interaction between keynote, panel and audience that Otlet Salons so cherishes, touches on many subjects, concluding that interdisciplinarity and exchange pose some challenges, but mainly holds great (societal) advantages.

Read the summary-koen-vanmechelen-edition for more information about this edition with quotes from the panel members and highlights of the evening. Video fragments will follow soon.
More on this and previous editions.