In the ever-evolving landscape of art and technology, few individuals embody the dynamic fusion of these two fields as profoundly as Marios Konstantinidis, Artistic Director of the WIP Festival and Director of the Thinker Maker Space. With a background that spans traditional craftsmanship to cutting-edge digital innovation, Konstantinidis has been a driving force behind WIP24, a festival that highlights the convergence of art and technology to explore the pressing issues of today and tomorrow. In this interview, he shares insights on how his experiences and vision have shaped WIP24, discussing the festival’s theme, its impact on local and global dialogues, and the role of technology in artistic creation.

My experiences in the field of applied design—from traditional techniques to emerging digital methods and applications—have allowed me, together with my close colleagues, to envision and ultimately realize a festival that identifies and highlights the most current expressions of art, technology, and their intersections. With a team coming from equally diverse professional and academic backgrounds, we create an inclusive environment, challenging both ourselves and the audience through the themes we design and the technological and artistic applications we support. I am particularly proud of the Thinker Maker Space team, as they creatively combine their inherent skills while constantly evolving with every new need and challenge.

With this year's theme, we invited creators and technologists to comment on a paradoxical duality: the need to harmonize human presence with a natural environment in a state of alarm, combined with the merging of the digital and physical worlds, oscillating between utopia and dystopia. With the title de_____cloud, we aim to use art as a vehicle to discern the strategies and ideas that can lead us to a healthier present and future, clearing up the "cloudy" accumulation of information we experience today.

Art and technology have always been companions and participants in every aspect of culture and evolution. With WIP, we aim to highlight and showcase works that are at the cutting edge of these two fields. The artists and interdisciplinary teams we host not only comment on but also propose new perspectives and innovative solutions to contemporary social, technological, and environmental problems. When we first started four years ago, WIP was the first festival of its kind in Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Today, we are proud to have established it as a central reference and meeting point for artists and technologists from around the world.

WIP2024 succeeds in positioning Cyprus as an active participant in international art and technology events, engaging equally and dynamically in the global ecosystem of art and technology convergence. Being "different" is not an end goal in itself, but our contribution to the international dialogue is vital for representing our country. Equally, if not more important for us, is the ability to contribute to and enrich local discussions, enhancing the horizons of the local community, culture, and technology

This year's festival reflects the approaches and practices of over 60 artists, technologists, and researchers, expressing an exciting polyphony. Visitors will have the chance to experience unique moments that combine art and technology, with each project offering something special to every individual who joins us in celebrating co-creation through WIP2024.