ML - Aspen Peak

2014 - Issue 1 - Summer

Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak

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CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Walter Paepcke (SECOND FROM LEFT)— with Friedl Pfeifer, Herbert Bayer, and Gary Cooper in Aspen in 1955, and with Albert Schweitzer during the Goethe Bicentennial in 1949—conceived the "Aspen Idea," a platform for today's annual festival; Valerie Jarrett speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival in 2012. B efore the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Aspen Institute wasn't known for its public pro- grams. In fact, it didn't have any. Instead, the policy organization held private meetings and conferences, hosting world leaders to discuss critical issues behind closed doors. In 2005 that all changed and the Institute invited the public to join and lead these conversa- tions during its inaugural Ideas Festival. This summer, in partnership with The Atlantic, it cele- brates its 10th year, June 24 through July 3, with an overall theme of "Imagining 2024." But rewind to 1949, when Walter Paepcke hosted the Goethe Bicentennial in Aspen. Hundreds gathered to share thoughts and spark dialogue in an idyllic landscape, crystallizing Paepcke's "Aspen Idea": the symbiosis of mind, body, and spirit. This well-rounded approach encouraged luminaries to share ideas and let down their guards. "Ideas Fest fits right into the original moment at the Goethe Bicentennial," says Walter Isaacson, Aspen Institute president and CEO. "They were discussing big ideas, and when I look at the pictures of those people in that tent— Herbert Bayer, Albert Schweitzer, Mortimer Adler—I think that it's very much at the root of what we're doing now." What started as a goal to expand the organiza- tion's breadth has become a cornerstone in its public programs, bringing hundreds of experts to the Rocky Mountains to engage and inspire. "It's unlike any other conference," says Isaacson. "People sit around on the meadow, they hang out on campus and attend each other's discussions, and it's very conversational and interactive. They don't go on stage and then get into their PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (COOPER, SCHWEITZER); COURTESY OF ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL (JARRETT) What's the Big Idea? DRAWING THE TOP MINDSIN THE FIELDS OF POLITICS, ACADEMIA, BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE ARTSTHE ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF GLOBAL IMPACT, STAGED ON AN IDYLLIC CAMPUS THAT ONCE HOSTED THE GOETHE BICENTENNIAL. BY CHRISTINE BENEDETTI continued on page 88 " You have Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Valerie Jarrett wandering around, bumping into each other, and having a conversation." WALTER ISAACSON 86 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM HAUTE HERITAGE 086-088_AP_SC_HauteHeritage_SUM_FALL_14.indd 86 5/6/14 3:29 PM

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