Contemporary art is a living matter of culture, the pulse of time in which history and innovation, personal experience, and collective memory intertwine. It requires not only mastery but also subtlety of perception, empathy, inner freedom, and respect for a diversity of views. Art is a space for dialogue where meanings are born and the future is shaped.
On February 27, 2026, a truly landmark event took place within the walls of AIU: a meeting of future design students with Giovanni Ottonello, the Art Director of the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED). Founded in Italy in 1966, this international university is rightfully considered a recognized leader in education in the fields of design, fashion, visual arts, communication, and management, combining the traditions of the European art school with modern innovative approaches.
The guest lecture on the inspiring topic "Randomness doesn’t exist! Broaden the perspective to see the big picture" became a genuine intellectual and creative revelation for the students of the Higher School of Arts and Humanities. The idea that there are no accidents in art, and that every element is part of a larger concept, resonated deeply with the audience.
The warm reception, the profound engagement of the students, and the many insightful questions were evidence of a true dialogue—a dialogue between creative, thinking individuals sincerely dedicated to their calling.
A special moment of the visit was the professor's introduction to the university museum, presented by the Dean of the HSAH, Sayat Ibrai. The rich collection of carpets, household items, and jewelry revealed centuries of history and the unique culture of the Kazakh people—a culture where ornament, form, and material carry the philosophy of the steppe, the memory of generations, and aesthetic harmony.
Professor Ottonello highly praised the openness, erudition, and interdisciplinary thinking of AIU students, noting the depth of their ideas and sincere interest in the profession. This meeting was not just a lecture but a significant cultural event—a space of inspiration where tradition and modernity, national heritage, and the global artistic context merged.
Such events strengthen the belief that art knows no borders, and that creative collaboration and the exchange of experience become the foundation for the birth of new ideas and the shaping of the future of world design thought.