UNESCO hosted a seminar and exhibition titled 'Digital Meets Creativity' on September 12, 2016, at its headquarters in Paris, featuring Korean media artists Han Ho and Byeong Sam Jeon. The exhibition, 'Technology in Contemporary Art,' showcased works that blend digital technologies with artistic practice, including Han Ho's holographic and LED installations and Jeon's interactive video and kinetic pieces. The event was part of 'KOREA-UNESCO week' and included remarks from UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Korean Ambassador Byong Hyun Lee, and Assistant Director General Francesco Bandarin.
The event matters because it highlighted how digital technologies are reshaping cultural production, distribution, and consumption, as emphasized in UNESCO's 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The seminar brought together artists and experts to discuss how creators can leverage digital tools, ensure equitable access, and protect artistic freedom in the digital age. It also previewed new Operational Guidelines on digital technology's impact on cultural diversity, set for discussion at the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in December 2016, signaling UNESCO's commitment to adapting cultural policies to the digital environment.