We are excited to announce that three of our graduates have been nominated for the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024 in collaboration with WGSN, Coloro, and Google Arts & Culture. This showcase highlights the best emerging artists and designers from around the globe, and we are proud to have Nandi Rieks, Rolandas Banaitis, and Denisa Voláková represent us on this platform.
Meet the Nominees and Their Projects
Denisa Voláková – Horror Vacui
- Specialism: Contemporary Craft, Ceramics, Textiles
- Program: BA in Product Design
Denisa Voláková’s Horror Vacui (Latin for “fear of empty space”) is a deeply personal and intricate exploration of memory and sensory experiences. Inspired by her struggles with memory deficiencies and tinnitus following hearing damage, Denisa created a powerful installation that visually and aurally represents her inner world. Using techniques such as screen printing, laser engraving, and clay crafting, her tiles are inspired by damaged fresco paintings, symbolizing fragmented memories. Paired with translucent fabric and soundscapes that mimic the disorienting effects of tinnitus, Horror Vacui turns personal hardship into a catalyst for artistic creation, offering a moving reflection on the fear of silence and emptiness.
Rolandas Banaitis – The World Is
- Specialism: Film / Photography
- Program: BA in Audiovisual Design
Rolandas Banaitis’ project, The World Is, is a surreal exploration of control and chaos. The narrative centers on a career-driven man in a modern city, whose attempt to maintain control over his life is disrupted by an otherworldly experience. An interaction with a jigsaw puzzle piece that refuses to fit sends him on a transformative journey to the mountains, where nature strips him of his illusions and brings inner peace. Upon his return to the city, the once frustrating puzzle piece melts into snow, symbolizing his newfound acceptance of life’s unpredictability. Rolandas’ background as a visual storyteller shines through in this project, blending powerful imagery with emotional depth.
- Specialism: Film
- Program: BA in Audiovisual Design
Nandi Rieks' short film, Running Out, explores the complexities of sibling relationships, societal expectations, and self-acceptance. The 16-minute drama-comedy follows two sisters, Grace and Maeve, as they navigate a tense car journey that leads to emotional revelations when their car breaks down on the way to an important dinner. The film showcases Nandi’s ability to tell deeply personal stories, grounded in her culturally diverse background and psychology studies. Her focus on underrepresented voices and ethical storytelling brings a fresh perspective to the film world, reminding us of the importance of empathy and representation.
You can vote now!
The public vote is now open, and we invite you to support our 2024 graduates by voting for your favorite artist or designer. You can vote for one nominee per category across four different areas.
You can vote here. Voting closes on Friday, October 11th, and the winners will be announced on Monday, October 14th.
