PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays and dedicated AV software solutions, has launched the MUSE Digital Art Award, a new world-first, environment-inspired international competition connecting artistic visionaries with industry-leading sustainable technology.

Aligned with PPDS’ ambitions to empower more energy-efficient and eco-friendly business, leisure and learning environments through sustainable technology, this exciting new cultural initiative invites artists to help imagine and inspire ‘The Energy for Tomorrow’.

Officially launched on Thursday (August 31), the MUSE Digital Art Award will reward 20 finalists with a money-can’t-buy opportunity to present their work at the world’s first ‘zero emission’ art exhibition, hosted by PPDS, inside a prestigious international institution in Milan, Italy in November. PPDS is working closely with several art schools, colleges and universities in Italy to encourage participation, of which three will be guaranteed as finalists with the top student artist scooping their own Philips Tableaux display.

The initiative, which was born through a collaboration between Luca Guariniello, Marketing Manager Italy at PPDS, and Julia Rajacic, Art Curator, has received patronage from MNAD (National Museum of Digital Art), an autonomous museum established by the Italian Minister of Culture with the aim of uniting generations and communicating through art the possibility of becoming digitally aware citizens.

Luca Guariniello commented: “In front of the major challenges resulting from the global social and environmental crisis, it has become urgent to find new ways of seeing and doing – finding the energy for tomorrow. Communities facing significant uncertainty need to be more innovative. In this context, the role of creativity together with technology is key in shaping truly innovative future scenarios and experimenting with promising solutions.

“With MUSE, we’re continuing to break new ground, using our multi-awarding zero-power Philips Tableaux displays to deliver the first zero-emission digital art exhibition here in Italy, bringing together the world’s most artistic minds to help inspire us all to do more and safeguard the futures of generations to come.”

Painting a healthier future

Conducted under strict guidelines, all submissions for the MUSE Digital Art Award must be designed for presentation (in portrait or landscape) on a 25” (16 x 9) Philips Tableaux display and submitted by October 20, 2023. Entries will be individually reviewed by an expert panel of judges, comprising digital art specialists, museum directors, art curators, critics, and renowned international artists, who will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Hailed as the world’s most energy-efficient digital signage series to date, the Philips Tableaux range can deliver 24/7 vivid static content remotely to any environment and are capable of running entirely unplugged and without using a single kilowatt of electricity.

On November 7, the 20 finalists will be confirmed and announced for the exhibition in Milan, with entries prepared and wirelessly delivered onto 20 x individual Philips Tableaux displays installed at the event. 

Three winners will be determined via the MUSE panel of judges together with votes from visitors attending the exhibition collected via the MUSE Instagram page. Each of these winners will receive their own Philips Tableaux display, and the first-place professional artist will also win €3,000.

All finalists are invited to attend the exhibition either in person or remotely for those unable or living outside of local areas to minimise unnecessary travel. Known globally for its abundance of cultural and artistic heritage, Milan was the standout choice as the host city for the inaugural MUSE Digital Art Award.

Following this year’s event, a carbon footprint report will also be produced and published, taking into consideration staff transportation, material packaging, shipping, energy consumption and printing, and carbon will be offset, all completed by local Italian sustainability company, Ustainable.

Ron Cottaar, Marketing Director at PPDS, commented: “With MUSE, we’re inviting artists from around the world to share their visions to imagine a better future for the world of tomorrow and inspire us in our transformational journey as individuals, communities, and organisations. While participation is open to artists from all around the world, each year, a country will be designated to host the final exhibition. For the first edition of MUSE, Italy, was the standout choice as the hosting country to pilot this initiative.”

Stefan van Sabben, Global CSR and Sustainability Manager at PPDS, concluded: “At PPDS, we believe actions speak louder than words, and as a business, we have placed sustainability as a top priority. It goes far beyond box ticking, credentials and certifications, instead permeating everything we do, visible through our groundbreaking sustainable hardware and software solutions, as well as behind the scenes in our factories and offices. At the same time, we want our solutions to help inspire change on a local and international scale, and for our industry. MUSE is a wonderful opportunity to amplify this message.” - TradeArabia News Service