Tokion Magazine’s annual Creativity Now conference takes place this weekend, May 17 and 18 at Manhattan’s Cooper Union.  In its fifth year, the event rounds up some of the most influential and innovative minds from the fields of music, acting and film, design, art, writing, philosophy, and science. Along with the New York Times Magazine’s Year in Ideas issue, Creativity Now is a best bet for throwing the gauntlet down on the sharing of big thoughts in the creative environment and culture industries.

Speakers this year include award-winning director/writer Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo), star comedians David Cross, Maria Bamford and Zach Galifianakis, curators Kathy Grayson (Deitch Projects), Klaus Biesenbach (MoMA/P.S.1), Shamim M. Momin (Whitney Museum of American Art), Thomas Duncan (Gagosian Gallery) and Massimiliano Gioni (New Museum of Contemporary Art), José Freire (owner of Team Gallery), Lizzi Bougatsos of Gang Gang Dance, artists Nate Lowman, Gardar Eide Einarsson, Hanna Liden and David Shrigley, and comic book icon Gary Panter.

Let’s hope that Korine, whose current film Mr. Lonely is a splendor, picks a fight with Momin, whose current Whitney Biennial isn’t.  Even creativity has to be held accountable, so let’s get ready to rumble.

For an updated list of speakers, please visit the Tokion website.