Sws TEDx
Intiatives
TEDxpeople
a ted democracy initiative - Fall 2024
The TEDxPeople initiative, spearheaded by Super Weird Studios, TEDxBellarmineU, and the TED Democracy Initiative, invites individuals to submit a variety of digital media, including imagery, audio, text, or video, to explore the relationship between art, politics, and community. This initiative seeks to create a comprehensive repository of diverse perspectives as democracies face challenges on a global scale. The TED Democracy Initiative aims to reshape narratives towards a constructive vision for the future of democracy while enhancing civic culture through storytelling and community engagement.
A significant aspect of this initiative is the "PEOPLE" mixed-media art installation, developed in collaboration with Super Weird Studios, which underscores the importance of global democracy and community involvement. This installation offers a gallery experience that reimagines political expression, promoting active participation beyond conventional governmental frameworks. Its goal is to convert the traditional art gallery environment into a participatory space, thereby fostering civic engagement and dialogue among attendees.
Contributors may submit their work anonymously via QR codes available at the installation booths, facilitating contemplation on values and identity while providing an alternative to traditional voting methods.
TEDx bridging community
a community resilience talk - Spring 2024
Super Weird Studios, in collaboration with TEDxBellarmineU, has developed visual narratives that highlight the theme of community resilience within the TEDx community. This initiative showcases the resilience found within Bellarmine University and the surrounding Louisville communities. The project emphasizes fundamental themes such as commitment, interconnectedness, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity, which serve as essential guiding principles within a dynamic global landscape.
Each character in the 2024 TEDx sign incorporates iconography that aligns with the theme of community involvement. Set against the backdrop of Louisville's Big Four Bridge, this design serves as a visual representation of the connections among diverse communities within Louisville. The letter "T" depicts the bell tower of Bellarmine University, a notable landmark that is both visually prominent and audibly significant throughout the campus, thereby reinforcing Bellarmine's identity within the city. The letter "E" encapsulates themes of community engagement by representing the entrance arch and the Centro, a hub designed for community interaction that encompasses classrooms, community programs, and clubs. This space plays a crucial role in facilitating connections between individuals, Bellarmine University, and the Louisville community.
The letter "D" draws upon the iconic Louisville, Kentucky horse, a distinctive symbol of the region's heritage, and includes representations of Bellarmine's Our Lady of the Woods Chapel, reflecting the community's diversity. The letter "X" represents the convergence of these communities, culminating in a focal point embodied by the Bellarmine Knight. All graphics used in this project were created using digital illustration, photography, and print collage, showcasing the diverse mediums through which community engagement is represented in iconography and mixed media.
