About the project
The first HKU Festival - Where are you now
The "Where Are You Now" festival was conceived as a vibrant celebration to welcome new students to HKU and to bid farewell to alumni. The event aimed to create an unforgettable experience by showcasing modern art, interactive installations, and audiovisual performances.
Role
Initiator and Project Manager
Client
University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU)
Date
september 2019
I initiated and led the “Where Are You Now” festival as a welcome for new students and a send-off for alumni. A full-spectrum, sensory-heavy experience built to leave a mark. The concept fused modern art, interactivity, and sound into a single immersive event that would resonate far beyond the night itself.
What I Led
As project manager, I brought together a cross-disciplinary team of HKU students. We designed and delivered an event that bridged newcomers and veterans, built on collaboration, bold ideas, and fast iteration.
Core Features
- Hexadome Installation: The centerpiece of the festival, featuring a surround sound setup with 6 speakers to create an immersive audio experience.
- Interactive Installations: Designed to engage visitors and inspire them with modern art and interactivity.
- Audiovisual Performances: Including performances by 12 artists and 2 bands, spanning over 3 stages.
- Boat Stage: A refurbished boat that was once used for prostitution, transformed into a disco with vibrant music and lighting.
- Yard Stage: Overlooking the inner yard, featuring a large fire where attendees danced around, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
- Main Stage Inside De Nijverheid: Equipped with big speakers, extensive lighting, and the primary speaker setup, providing an electrifying experience.
- Networking Opportunities: The event facilitated connections both within and outside the HKU community, fostering a broad network and collaboration opportunities.
- Marketing and Promotion: Utilized HKU’s network, flyers, posters, and invitations during the introduction week to attract attendees.
What I Learned
- Time Discipline: Cut low-impact work early. Focus on what moves the needle.
- Delegation & Outsourcing: Clear handoffs and external support let us scale without burnout.
- User Feedback: I actively spoke with attendees mid-event to learn in real time, crucial for future planning.
Impact
The response was overwhelming. Students still talk about it years later. That lasting impact, emotionally and socially, validated the vision and the execution.
This wasn’t just a party. It was proof of what’s possible when creative minds across disciplines collaborate toward a shared goal. For me, it was a defining project, part artistic experiment, part logistical marathon, and a lasting highlight of my time at HKU.
