Innovation Award by Itamar Gilboa

Each year AkzoNobel appoints an employee that has developed the most creative and innovative idea. This year the winner received a specially designed Award by internationally renowned artist Itamar Gilboa.

The award is part of Gilboa’s Body of Work research project, in which the artist collected data about his body using advanced medical imaging technologies – such as MRI and CT scans – and used the data to create sculptural “self-portraits”.

In collaboration with scientists, Gilboa mapped his brain activity while thinking about this project and while creating art. This activity has been translated into 3D printable files that highlight the active part of the brain – and these formed the basis for the new award’s design.

“The winners of the innovation awards are great minds. People that push themselves and those around them to reach their fullest potential. They use creativity and innovation, and to me as an artist that is inspiring too. The awards I created capture exactly that part of the brain and I am thrilled to share this with them.” Itamar Gilboa

Recognizing extensive work to accurately represent texture and color, Eric Kirchner has been named AkzoNobel’s Scientist of the Year 2019. Building on technology from movie and video game development.

The choice of Kirchner for the award highlights an interesting overlap between science and art – which has also been neatly captured in the physical award.