Main Stage 2019 | Creative Ville 2019

Our mainstage speakers

On November 22nd 2019, we were proud to present this fine mix of industry leaders and fresh voices, local and international.

MAIN STAGE VIDEOS

Aral Balkan

Aral Balkan is a designer and developer who has been creating with computers for over 35 years.

He has spent the last five of those working on the problem of technologically regulating the abuses of surveillance capitalism.

At Creative Ville 2019, Aral presented his latest thoughts on how we can create alternatives to surveillance capitalism that cannot be co-opted. His suggestion is simple: think small.

Sofie Van de Velde

In 2013, Sofie Van de Velde opened “Gallery Sofie Van de Velde” in two areas in Antwerp.

Sofie’s philosophy is one of collaboration and shared opportunities and networks.

Together with the artist, strategies are defined to bring the body of work to a new level. Then the gallery represents artists in a strong international network, through participating in art fairs and exhibitions.

Dries Depoorter

Dries Depoorter is an artist working with technology. His work addresses themes such as artificial intelligence, privacy, social media & surveillance.

Dries’ artwork is situated both online as well as in the physical space and spans a range of different media, such as app's, games and interactive installations.

At Creative Ville 2019, Dries talked about his work and how to die together.

MAIN STAGE SPEAKERS

Dimitri Verhulst

Bestselling author.

Dimitri Verhulst is one of Belgium's most successful contemporary writers and has been translated into 25 languages.

His breakthrough novel from 2006, The Misfortunates (De helaasheid der dingen) won many awards and was adapted into a successful movie.

Dimitri is also involved in the business side of publishing. In 2018, he started working with publishing house Pluim and co-started a writers cooperative.

Bent Van Looy

Musician, painter and tv maker

Bent Van Looy, a man of all trades, is a well respected Belgian artist with a vast experience of expressing himself creatively.

After finishing his painting studies, his band Das Pop, was gaining traction. The band, with him as lead singer, released four highly acclaimed albums. Almost fifteen years of intense touring followed in Belgium, Europe and the rest of the world.

Afterwards, a variety of major projects followed, including solo albums, radio and television.

Sara Riis-Carstensen

Creator of Lego’s global brand strategy.

Sara Riis-Carstensen has driven countless iconic branding campaigns and brand activations across the world, and received numerous awards.

She is best known as the woman behind LEGO’s global brand success.

Today, Sara proudly looks back at key roles at Carlsberg, Giorgio Armani and most recently De Beers, the world’s biggest diamond company.

Mike Monteiro

Co-founder & design director Mule Design.

Mike Monteiro is the co-founder and design director of Mule Design, a leading design consultancy from San Francisco, California.

He is a hugely popular author and especially speaker on the craft, ethics and the business of design.

Bert Hamelinck

Co-founder & managing director of Caviar Group.

Bert Hamelinck is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Caviar Group, the award-winning entertainment company based in LA, London, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam.

He is also Head of Caviar’s Film & Television department.

After many years of producing in Belgium, Bert relocated to Los Angeles to focus his efforts on developing stateside original content.

Bert talked about never ever giving up.

Also check out our backstage talks

Creative Ville 2019 proudly presented various stages: the main stage and the backstage talks.

The backstage talks represent intimate meetings with local, refreshing voices from various creative fields to broaden your horizon.

Proudly presenting dancer Wim Vanlessen, musician Lander Gyselinck, PR champ Debby Wilmsen, architect Tim Vekemans, cartoonist Christina De Witte, director Cecilia Verheyden and Ives & Iris from film & animation studio Cyborn.

Discover more

Aral Balkan

Cyborg rights activist, designer & lead developer at Ind.ie.

Aral Balkan is a designer and developer who has been active for over 35 years.

He has spent the last five of those working on the problem of technologically regulating the abuses of surveillance capitalism, as well as designing freedom-respecting alternatives to it.

Sofie Van de Velde

Owner of Gallery Sofie Van de Velde.

In 2013, Sofie Van de Velde opened her gallery that stands for entrepreneurship in art.

Moving away from a conventional competition-minded gallery model, Sofie’s philosophy is one of collaboration and shared opportunities and networks.

At the Art Basel fair in 2018, the gallery received the prestigious “Creativity and Innovation Award” for their inspirational and innovative way of working.

Dries Depoorter

Artist working with technology.

The work of Dries Depoorter addresses themes such as artificial intelligence, privacy, social media & surveillance.

So Dries’ artwork is situated both online as well as in the physical space and spans a range of different media. Among his creations are apps, games and interactive installations.

His media installations have been presented worldwide.

Dries talked about how to die together.