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Exciting Event Will Focus on Intersection of Art & Technology

Featuring St. Pete Pier artist Janet Echelman and rising Israeli startup Niio
 
InnovationFusion2020
InnovationFusion2020 [ FIBA 2020 ]
Published Dec. 4, 2020|Updated Dec. 4, 2020

The fourth-annual Innovation Fusion event of the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA), will focus on the intersection of art and technology with celebrated artist and innovator, Tampa native Janet Echelman, as keynote speaker. This year’s event will be virtual due to COVID-19.

The work of Janet Echelman defies categorization as it intersects across disciplinary boundaries, from fine art, architecture, and urban design, to material science, computer science, and structural and aeronautical engineering. Using unlikely materials — from fishnet to atomized water particles — Echelman combines ancient craft with original computational design software to create artworks that have become focal points for urban life on four continents. Echelman was named an Architectural Digest Innovator for “changing the very essence of urban spaces.” Her TED talk, “Taking Imagination Seriously,” has been translated into 35 languages with more than one-million views. Oprah ranked Echelman’s work #1 on her List of 50 Things That Make You Say Wow! Echelman’s permanent commissions have transformed urban environments worldwide, and include Bending Arc at the newly renovated Pier in St. Petersburg. Bending Arc was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” It contains over 1.66 million knots in recognition of the interconnections of humanity, and is built to withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour — all while appearing delicate and exquisitely responsive to the surrounding weather and environment.

The intersection of art and technology discussion will come full circle with Rob Anders, Co-founder and CEO of Niio, an Israeli startup company holding one of the biggest names in “new media art,” which aspires to become the Spotify of visual art. Niio enables a global network of 4,000 leading artists, galleries, libraries and institutions from 70 countries to self-publish media art-forms, which can then be viewed on connected display devices anywhere in the world.

The event will also include an update about how the tech eco-systems in both Florida and Israel are thriving despite the pandemic. Jamal Sowell, Florida Secretary of Commerce and the President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, will provide updates on Florida’s tech eco-system and Ori Kaufman-Gafter, head of International and Tech banking at Bank Leumi USA, will provide insights on how the Israeli tech ecosystem weathered the pandemic.

Keeping with FIBA’s tradition of featuring success stories of Israeli companies thriving in Florida, this year’s event will feature Israeli company, Aviv Clinics, that recently launched its hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in The Villages. David Globig, CEO of Aviv Clinics, will explain why Aviv chose Florida as its first site outside of Israel and how the technology works.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6-7:30 p.m. via videoconference. The event is free with a suggested donation of $25 to support FIBA. Local participants can watch the event at home while enjoying dinner for two, provided by the Epicurean Hotel, for the cost of $180.

Event: 4th Annual Innovation Fusion: The Intersection of Art and Technology

Keynote Address: Janet Echelman, world-renowned artist

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Venue: Zoom (link will be provided after registration)

Tickets: Free

Register: https://fusion20.eventbrite.com

About FIBA

The Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA) is a Florida-based business development and community-engagement project established by the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation and supported by the State of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity, Hillsborough County and the generous support of several community philanthropists. FIBA provides a soft landing for Israeli tech companies that are ready to expand into the US market. FIBA offers entrepreneurs strategic alignment with corporate partners; facilitates introductions to prospective customers, strategic partners and investors; assists with sales and lead generation activities; and encourages the companies to establish a U.S. subsidiary in Tampa Bay that is responsible for sales, marketing, tech and customer support throughout North America.

For more information, contact Christina Belchere, Marketing Coordinator: christina@fiba.io or (813) 291-2301.

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