Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre Media release     23 March 2011 Embracing innovation Embracing innovation is a Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre curated exhibition showcasing eleven craft artists and designer makers, Stephen Barrass, Marco Chan, Penelope Forlano, Chris Hardy, Dr Carlos Montana-Hoyos, Gilbert Riedelbauch, Andrew Welch, Mitchell Whitelaw, and collaborative work by Ruth Hingston, Tim Brook and Alistair Riddell, who are exploring new areas in trans-disciplinary research, technology and design. Each of the artists in Embracing innovation are pushing the boundaries in their respective field. They are investigating the realms of new technologies and design thinking, and researching how these advances interact with their own design practices. This exhibition offers an exciting look at innovative works, and practice-based research through current works-in-progress. Interactive furniture exploring sound design and data sonification, jewellery and metal objects challenging our ideas about ‘handmade’ through the use of digital technologies and factory production methods, sculptural furniture that delves into topical issues of want versus sustainability and technology versus nature, environmentally sustainable industrial design using reclaimed aluminium can tabs, and an emission free concept vehicle designed and built for a greener and healthier future are just some of the works presented in Embracing innovation. Welch believes that designer makers are early adopters of new technologies, and that they are often among the first to incorporate them into their ‘traditional’ craft based practices. He describes this as a “hybrid approach, a way of making that has become an option for the studio artist as the technological innovations of mass production trickle down to studio scale manufacture”. As an emerging artist, Chan feels that design is the key to improving the existing world. “It changes people’s behaviour, beliefs and also their future”, he says. The exhibition will be officially opened by guest speaker Ms Helen O’Neil, Advisor, The Minister for the Arts, Mr Simon Crean MP, at 6.pm Thursday 31 March 2011. Embracing innovation continues until Saturday 7 May 2011 in Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre’s Gallery, Level 1 North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City. The Centre is open Tuesday to Friday 10.am to 5.pm and Saturday 12.pm to 4.pm. In 2011 Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is celebrating its 40th birthday.  Avi Amesbury, Executive Director For information Media contact: Amy Kerr, Communications and Program Manager Telephone: (02) 6262 9333 Email: amy.kerr@craftact.org.au Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre - Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra ACT Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy - an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre is also supported by the ACT Government and the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body.