olafur eliasson has been selected as the 2014-2015 visual arts mentor for the rolex arts initiative. he joins six other advisers: alejandro gonzález iñárritu, film; michael ondaatje, literature; alexei ratmansky, dance; kaija saariaho, music; jennifer tipton, theatre; and peter zumthor, architecture (announced on designboom here), who will each hand-pick a protégé from their respective fields to engage in a year of intense collaboration with, offering their time and expertise to support, guide and nurture the young creative’s talent.

 

olafur eliasson on being selected as the visual arts mentor: ‘it is my experience that teaching and sharing knowledge is as rewarding as learning. teaching is always connected to getting new knowledge myself.’

 

the names of the new mentors were announced at a special event in venice on october 21st, celebrating the success of the 2012-2013 cycle of the rolex arts initiative.  after seven panels of arts specialists complete a worldwide search for some of the world’s most talented young artists and present their recommended candidates to the mentors, the seven experts each mentor will choose a protégé early in 2014 and begin working with them from mid-2014.