EVENT LANGUAGE: GERMAN & INTERPRETING SERVICE IN AUSTRIAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ÖGS).

Panel discussion on inclusion and accessibility in the arts and cultural sector

Participants (short bio – see below)

• Hannah Landsmann – Head of Education Jewish Museum Vienna
• Bettina Leidl – Director MuseumsQuartier Vienna
• Daniele Marano – Project Manager Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Sehschwachen Österreich, expert for barrier-free art education
• Flavia Mazzanti – Expert for digital inclusion
• Philipp Muerling – Activist and art student

Panel moderated by

• Doris Rothauer – Editor “Museums Guide inklusiv

SHORT BIOGRAPHIES

Daniele Marano

Daniele Marano works for the Austrian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a project manager in the field of accessibility and assistive technologies for visually impaired people. In this function he consults important cultural institutions regarding barrier-free art education and leads trainings for art educators. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Padua (Italy).

As a person affected himself, he is convinced of the application possibilities of information and communication technologies and conveys this also in lectures and trainings.
He is a member of the Austrian Standard Institute’s Committee for Aids for the Blind and Accessible Design and Construction. His contribution to the promotion of accessibility also extends to the international level as a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).

Flavia Mazzanti

Flavia Mazzanti is a Vienna-based Italian-Brazilian artist and entrepreneur in the field of virtual reality and digital media. In her work she explores artistic-philosophical concepts on post-anthropocentrism, new materialism, body and identity with an interest in creating alternative perspectives on ourselves and our environment. She graduated with honors from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and received the Gustav Peichl Award for Architectural Drawing and the Würdigungspreis for Artistic Work. Her work has been shown and awarded at numerous national and international festivals, including Ars Electronica Festival, DA Z – Digital Arts Festival Zurich, Parallel Vienna, ADAF. She is co-founder of Immerea – an interactive media company focused on the development of VR games and virtual installations -, co-organizer of XRVienna, and lecturer at national and international universities, symposiums and festivals. Flavia was included this year in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list 2023.

Philipp Muerling 

“As an art student, I am particularly challenged – not because of my studies, the various discourses, or because of my own work. I am challenged to be physically present at all.”

Philipp Muerling is the first and, so far, only student at the Academy of Fine Arts who is in a wheelchair. As in many other public buildings, the barrier-free entrance still leads through the back entrance. The activist has made this grievance public and addressed “inclusion” in a performance series.

“I tried, like everyone else, to visit the university building from the front via the grand staircase – but on all fours. Over 30 times I failed.”

Doris Rothauer

Doris Rothauer is a cultural manager, strategy consultant and author. Her focus is on the societal and social impact of art and cultural institutions.

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