so I’m gonna speak in English because my creation when I get nervous becomes
creation when I get nervous becomes
creation when I get nervous becomes really funny so I’m today come to speak
really funny so I’m today come to speak
really funny so I’m today come to speak to you about creativity and creativity
to you about creativity and creativity
to you about creativity and creativity I’ve given a sort of generic definition
I’ve given a sort of generic definition
I’ve given a sort of generic definition for it here but I’ve through my life
for it here but I’ve through my life
for it here but I’ve through my life realized that it’s an amazing tool which
realized that it’s an amazing tool which
realized that it’s an amazing tool which actually not only evolved me and changed
actually not only evolved me and changed
actually not only evolved me and changed my thought processes but with which I
my thought processes but with which I
my thought processes but with which I realized I could solve many problems and
realized I could solve many problems and
realized I could solve many problems and so I’m going to take you on a journey
so I’m going to take you on a journey
so I’m going to take you on a journey through my life and certain specific
through my life and certain specific
through my life and certain specific moments which if I made a line through
moments which if I made a line through
moments which if I made a line through them it would end up bringing me to the
them it would end up bringing me to the
them it would end up bringing me to the path I am today so with the introduction
path I am today so with the introduction
path I am today so with the introduction of me seeming like some sort of strange
of me seeming like some sort of strange
of me seeming like some sort of strange strange being I am I guess the only
strange being I am I guess the only
strange being I am I guess the only classification I ever had was as a
classification I ever had was as a
classification I ever had was as a multicultural mutt and at the age of six
multicultural mutt and at the age of six
multicultural mutt and at the age of six months I was already on a plane at the
months I was already on a plane at the
months I was already on a plane at the age of three I was speaking three
age of three I was speaking three
age of three I was speaking three languages and by the age of five my
languages and by the age of five my
languages and by the age of five my identity consisted of three very
identity consisted of three very
identity consisted of three very specific spaces we’re talking about the
specific spaces we’re talking about the
specific spaces we’re talking about the 1970s here and I was living in the US
1970s here and I was living in the US
1970s here and I was living in the US and a sort of an international hub and
and a sort of an international hub and
and a sort of an international hub and then traveling every summer to
then traveling every summer to
then traveling every summer to ex-yugoslavia where I was you know
ex-yugoslavia where I was you know
ex-yugoslavia where I was you know impressed by pioneers and a general in a
impressed by pioneers and a general in a
impressed by pioneers and a general in a white outfit in every sort of public
white outfit in every sort of public
white outfit in every sort of public space and then I was spending my winters
space and then I was spending my winters
space and then I was spending my winters in India where I was most impressed by
in India where I was most impressed by
in India where I was most impressed by the fact that in big cities cows and
the fact that in big cities cows and
the fact that in big cities cows and monkeys were walking around so with this
monkeys were walking around so with this
monkeys were walking around so with this type of identity which now I’m very
type of identity which now I’m very
type of identity which now I’m very happy that I was brought up that way it
happy that I was brought up that way it
happy that I was brought up that way it made me who I am but as a child it was
made me who I am but as a child it was
made me who I am but as a child it was definitely very challenging because
definitely very challenging because
definitely very challenging because there wasn’t that many people after
there wasn’t that many people after
there wasn’t that many people after there was no one who I could express my
there was no one who I could express my
there was no one who I could express my whole my whole life with my cat was
whole my whole life with my cat was
whole my whole life with my cat was often a good a good listener but
often a good a good listener but
often a good a good listener but ultimately the way I found a voice for
ultimately the way I found a voice for
ultimately the way I found a voice for myself and dealt with my identity was
myself and dealt with my identity was
myself and dealt with my identity was through drawing and writing and then
through drawing and writing and then
through drawing and writing and then 1991 came and it was the first time that
1991 came and it was the first time that
1991 came and it was the first time that moved after ten years from the u.s. to
moved after ten years from the u.s. to
moved after ten years from the u.s. to Vienna Austria and I felt fully a
Vienna Austria and I felt fully a
Vienna Austria and I felt fully a foreigner I didn’t speak the language I
foreigner I didn’t speak the language I
foreigner I didn’t speak the language I was living without my parents and the
was living without my parents and the
was living without my parents and the war in Croatia had started and this for
war in Croatia had started and this for
war in Croatia had started and this for me was devastating because Croatia was
me was devastating because Croatia was
me was devastating because Croatia was one of my pieces of my identity and it
one of my pieces of my identity and it
one of my pieces of my identity and it was something that I held very close and
was something that I held very close and
was something that I held very close and all of a sudden I found myself with
all of a sudden I found myself with
all of a sudden I found myself with pocket money as a student with no
pocket money as a student with no
pocket money as a student with no fighting skills to mention and and no
fighting skills to mention and and no
fighting skills to mention and and no one to really talk to and needless to
one to really talk to and needless to
one to really talk to and needless to say there was also a certain amount of
say there was also a certain amount of
say there was also a certain amount of prejudice towards refugees from Croatia
prejudice towards refugees from Croatia
prejudice towards refugees from Croatia and Bosnia as we’re experiencing now
and Bosnia as we’re experiencing now
and Bosnia as we’re experiencing now with refugees from Syria so I felt
with refugees from Syria so I felt
with refugees from Syria so I felt helpless hopeless and completely lost
helpless hopeless and completely lost
helpless hopeless and completely lost and this is when I started realizing
and this is when I started realizing
and this is when I started realizing that creativity might be my Savior and I
that creativity might be my Savior and I
that creativity might be my Savior and I started the impulse which made me get to
started the impulse which made me get to
started the impulse which made me get to this was the bombing of Dubrovnik
this was the bombing of Dubrovnik
this was the bombing of Dubrovnik which is actually funny for me that I’m
which is actually funny for me that I’m
which is actually funny for me that I’m discussing this today here and I as a
discussing this today here and I as a
discussing this today here and I as a child figured that this place could
child figured that this place could
child figured that this place could disappear and that places that I
disappear and that places that I
disappear and that places that I intimately knew and buildings would one
intimately knew and buildings would one
intimately knew and buildings would one day just not exist and so I felt it was
day just not exist and so I felt it was
day just not exist and so I felt it was my duty to start documenting these
my duty to start documenting these
my duty to start documenting these places and then first I was document my
places and then first I was document my
places and then first I was document my first painting ever was effective Lajo
first painting ever was effective Lajo
first painting ever was effective Lajo then I started documenting memories and
then I started documenting memories and
then I started documenting memories and then all of a sudden I realized that
then all of a sudden I realized that
then all of a sudden I realized that this immaterial thing was actually a
this immaterial thing was actually a
this immaterial thing was actually a tool and so I realized that next to my
tool and so I realized that next to my
tool and so I realized that next to my high school there was an elementary
high school there was an elementary
high school there was an elementary school which had donated one of its
school which had donated one of its
school which had donated one of its classrooms for refugee children and so I
classrooms for refugee children and so I
classrooms for refugee children and so I came there and I volunteered to be their
came there and I volunteered to be their
came there and I volunteered to be their English and art teacher and needless to
English and art teacher and needless to
English and art teacher and needless to say I was still being taught and I was
say I was still being taught and I was
say I was still being taught and I was ditching school to be with these
ditching school to be with these
ditching school to be with these children and now in retrospect I
children and now in retrospect I
children and now in retrospect I realized that this was an amazing group
realized that this was an amazing group
realized that this was an amazing group therapy moment for all of us because we
therapy moment for all of us because we
therapy moment for all of us because we were I wasn’t really teaching them
were I wasn’t really teaching them
were I wasn’t really teaching them anything
anything
anything I was actually distracting them we were
I was actually distracting them we were
I was actually distracting them we were having a moment
having a moment
having a moment we were transforming anguish into
we were transforming anguish into
we were transforming anguish into something positive through colors
something positive through colors
something positive through colors through forms and so this made me think
through forms and so this made me think
through forms and so this made me think I want to be an artist to the great
I want to be an artist to the great
I want to be an artist to the great dismay of my father who considers art a
dismay of my father who considers art a
dismay of my father who considers art a hobby and not a profession but needless
hobby and not a profession but needless
hobby and not a profession but needless to say I went on words and I started
to say I went on words and I started
to say I went on words and I started getting my pedigree let’s say and I went
getting my pedigree let’s say and I went
getting my pedigree let’s say and I went to Brown University and that was a very
to Brown University and that was a very
to Brown University and that was a very liberal university and I was even more
liberal university and I was even more
liberal university and I was even more convinced that I wanted to be an artist
convinced that I wanted to be an artist
convinced that I wanted to be an artist and then I did what 25% of my graduating
and then I did what 25% of my graduating
and then I did what 25% of my graduating class did and that was migrated to New
class did and that was migrated to New
class did and that was migrated to New York and so I came to New York and I was
York and so I came to New York and I was
York and so I came to New York and I was lucky to get an internship at the Google
lucky to get an internship at the Google
lucky to get an internship at the Google seeing gallery and that was very
seeing gallery and that was very
seeing gallery and that was very prestigious and everyone were black I’m
prestigious and everyone were black I’m
prestigious and everyone were black I’m still wearing black and the gallery was
still wearing black and the gallery was
still wearing black and the gallery was very white and intimidating and I got to
very white and intimidating and I got to
very white and intimidating and I got to see what the art market looked like and
see what the art market looked like and
see what the art market looked like and I wasn’t too impressed and then I was
I wasn’t too impressed and then I was
I wasn’t too impressed and then I was lucky that I got the Van Leer curatorial
lucky that I got the Van Leer curatorial
lucky that I got the Van Leer curatorial fellowship at the Museum of Modern Art
fellowship at the Museum of Modern Art
fellowship at the Museum of Modern Art MoMA and I was even luckier that I had
MoMA and I was even luckier that I had
MoMA and I was even luckier that I had as my first mentor and boss a woman
as my first mentor and boss a woman
as my first mentor and boss a woman named Paola Antonelli who is an Italian
director of now chief curator of design
director of now chief curator of design and she was someone who’s always trying
and she was someone who’s always trying
and she was someone who’s always trying to create innovative interactive
to create innovative interactive
to create innovative interactive exhibitions which is sort of rare at
exhibitions which is sort of rare at
exhibitions which is sort of rare at MoMA and so here is one of the
MoMA and so here is one of the
MoMA and so here is one of the exhibitions we worked on just to sort of
exhibitions we worked on just to sort of
exhibitions we worked on just to sort of have you understand what I mean by that
have you understand what I mean by that
have you understand what I mean by that for example these objects of Aquila
for example these objects of Aquila
for example these objects of Aquila Kathy Leone which one might think what
Kathy Leone which one might think what
Kathy Leone which one might think what is this about she actually worked with
is this about she actually worked with
is this about she actually worked with an illustrator Steven Guanaja to have
an illustrator Steven Guanaja to have
an illustrator Steven Guanaja to have all the sort of inspiration or the
all the sort of inspiration or the
all the sort of inspiration or the usages which he had in mind Illustrated
usages which he had in mind Illustrated
usages which he had in mind Illustrated and so beside each object instead of
and so beside each object instead of
and so beside each object instead of treating it like some sort of pedestal
treating it like some sort of pedestal
treating it like some sort of pedestal on a pedestal it was actually brought
on a pedestal it was actually brought
on a pedestal it was actually brought down to the normal person to understand
down to the normal person to understand
down to the normal person to understand what was behind him and this sort of
what was behind him and this sort of
what was behind him and this sort of left a lasting impression for me and
left a lasting impression for me and
left a lasting impression for me and even though the cocktail events and the
even though the cocktail events and the
even though the cocktail events and the openings were great I realized that
openings were great I realized that
openings were great I realized that somehow I didn’t belong in this temple
somehow I didn’t belong in this temple
somehow I didn’t belong in this temple that I was sort of more of a ground
that I was sort of more of a ground
that I was sort of more of a ground troops type person
troops type person
troops type person and so I continued in my venture and
and so I continued in my venture and
and so I continued in my venture and what I realized was that I had always
what I realized was that I had always
what I realized was that I had always processed the world in stories and I
processed the world in stories and I
processed the world in stories and I figured that most human beings do and so
figured that most human beings do and so
figured that most human beings do and so as a struggling artist in New York at
as a struggling artist in New York at
as a struggling artist in New York at one point I figured I wonder how other
one point I figured I wonder how other
one point I figured I wonder how other struggling artists are living you know
struggling artists are living you know
struggling artists are living you know is it just me was so angst-ridden and
is it just me was so angst-ridden and
is it just me was so angst-ridden and lost and so I teamed up with an Italian
lost and so I teamed up with an Italian
lost and so I teamed up with an Italian photographer named Andrea burger Elam
photographer named Andrea burger Elam
photographer named Andrea burger Elam and we started the BOGO experiment and
and we started the BOGO experiment and
and we started the BOGO experiment and the boga experiment meant besides Bodie
the boga experiment meant besides Bodie
the boga experiment meant besides Bodie Adela and gold felt it also meant buy
Adela and gold felt it also meant buy
Adela and gold felt it also meant buy one get one free so the concept was you
one get one free so the concept was you
one get one free so the concept was you would get a photographer and a painter
would get a photographer and a painter
would get a photographer and a painter doing a work on you and so we took out
doing a work on you and so we took out
doing a work on you and so we took out an ad in Craigslist and we said pretty
an ad in Craigslist and we said pretty
an ad in Craigslist and we said pretty much hey creatives we would like to
much hey creatives we would like to
much hey creatives we would like to follow you for a day and amazingly
follow you for a day and amazingly
follow you for a day and amazingly enough five people contacted us and they
enough five people contacted us and they
enough five people contacted us and they said sure and so we ended up following
said sure and so we ended up following
said sure and so we ended up following and it was the constant ultimately we
and it was the constant ultimately we
and it was the constant ultimately we were following artists that hadn’t had a
were following artists that hadn’t had a
were following artists that hadn’t had a stage yet that were still sort of
stage yet that were still sort of
stage yet that were still sort of emerging and searching for themselves so
emerging and searching for themselves so
emerging and searching for themselves so we ended up following an aspiring pop
we ended up following an aspiring pop
we ended up following an aspiring pop star Coney Island banner painter Coney
star Coney Island banner painter Coney
star Coney Island banner painter Coney Island used to be a freak show
Island used to be a freak show
Island used to be a freak show a nomadic artist a comedian and a subway
a nomadic artist a comedian and a subway
a nomadic artist a comedian and a subway artist and I found their stories
artist and I found their stories
artist and I found their stories completely amazing and following them
completely amazing and following them
completely amazing and following them and their experience in New York was
and their experience in New York was
and their experience in New York was even more amazing for example the subway
even more amazing for example the subway
even more amazing for example the subway artists to be able to play in the
artists to be able to play in the
artists to be able to play in the subways of New York it is as competitive
subways of New York it is as competitive
subways of New York it is as competitive as entering an Ivy League school for
as entering an Ivy League school for
as entering an Ivy League school for 2,000 applicants they only take 100 and
2,000 applicants they only take 100 and
2,000 applicants they only take 100 and they’re not paid for this they just have
they’re not paid for this they just have
they’re not paid for this they just have a spot underground the Coney Island
a spot underground the Coney Island
a spot underground the Coney Island painter for example came from three
painter for example came from three
painter for example came from three generations of people working in Coney
generations of people working in Coney
generations of people working in Coney Island
Island
Island her great-grandfather was a master of
her great-grandfather was a master of
her great-grandfather was a master of ceremonies
ceremonies
ceremonies she had the bearded woman in her
she had the bearded woman in her
she had the bearded woman in her backyard
backyard
backyard her cemetery so sort of all of a sudden
her cemetery so sort of all of a sudden
her cemetery so sort of all of a sudden I was realizing wow by giving them a
I was realizing wow by giving them a
I was realizing wow by giving them a space and sort of presenting their
space and sort of presenting their
space and sort of presenting their stories we’re validating know
stories we’re validating know
stories we’re validating know them but ourselves and by people on this
them but ourselves and by people on this
them but ourselves and by people on this sort of weird quest together so this
sort of weird quest together so this
sort of weird quest together so this continued and this continued into India
continued and this continued into India
continued and this continued into India and in India we were working on again
and in India we were working on again
and in India we were working on again sort of invisible people and these were
sort of invisible people and these were
sort of invisible people and these were people dealing from lower castes and so
people dealing from lower castes and so
people dealing from lower castes and so we started with the tribal people of
we started with the tribal people of
we started with the tribal people of Gujarat who were ultimately still sheep
Gujarat who were ultimately still sheep
Gujarat who were ultimately still sheep herders and are considered the ancestors
herders and are considered the ancestors
herders and are considered the ancestors of the Roma people today and then
of the Roma people today and then
of the Roma people today and then another interesting moment was the TAM
another interesting moment was the TAM
another interesting moment was the TAM ritual in northern mali bud of kerala
ritual in northern mali bud of kerala
ritual in northern mali bud of kerala and this was a lower caste people who
and this was a lower caste people who
and this was a lower caste people who due to the very rigid and unfair caste
due to the very rigid and unfair caste
due to the very rigid and unfair caste system that is in India they for
system that is in India they for
system that is in India they for thousands of years were not allowed to
thousands of years were not allowed to
thousands of years were not allowed to worship in the temples which were
worship in the temples which were
worship in the temples which were considered for higher caste and so they
considered for higher caste and so they
considered for higher caste and so they had created this really inventive
had created this really inventive
had created this really inventive costumes and they would go into these
costumes and they would go into these
costumes and they would go into these trances and dances of 13 hours and they
trances and dances of 13 hours and they
trances and dances of 13 hours and they themselves would become sort of godlike
themselves would become sort of godlike
themselves would become sort of godlike figures and so that very much impressed
figures and so that very much impressed
figures and so that very much impressed me and we got all these stories
me and we got all these stories
me and we got all these stories published they’re all photo photo essays
published they’re all photo photo essays
published they’re all photo photo essays and then finally paintings where I was
and then finally paintings where I was
and then finally paintings where I was describing sort of what couldn’t be
describing sort of what couldn’t be
describing sort of what couldn’t be photographed and we got called by the
photographed and we got called by the
photographed and we got called by the city of Mon Cala area next to Torino to
city of Mon Cala area next to Torino to
city of Mon Cala area next to Torino to help them with a problem that they had
help them with a problem that they had
help them with a problem that they had and the problem that they had was the
and the problem that they had was the
and the problem that they had was the Roma that had come and moved into there
Roma that had come and moved into there
Roma that had come and moved into there very rich in bourgeois town and the Roma
very rich in bourgeois town and the Roma
very rich in bourgeois town and the Roma were living in parking lots and on empty
were living in parking lots and on empty
were living in parking lots and on empty plots and there was obviously a lot of
plots and there was obviously a lot of
plots and there was obviously a lot of prejudice and fear about them from the
prejudice and fear about them from the
prejudice and fear about them from the community and so they said okay you guys
community and so they said okay you guys
community and so they said okay you guys seem crazy enough you are dealing with
seem crazy enough you are dealing with
seem crazy enough you are dealing with you know gypsies in India can you come
you know gypsies in India can you come
you know gypsies in India can you come and help us somehow in this story and so
and help us somehow in this story and so
and help us somehow in this story and so ended up spending two months with the
ended up spending two months with the
ended up spending two months with the Roma and getting into their daily trials
Roma and getting into their daily trials
Roma and getting into their daily trials and tribulations and problems and
and tribulations and problems and
and tribulations and problems and ultimately creating a whole series and
ultimately creating a whole series and
ultimately creating a whole series and stories about them which ultimately
stories about them which ultimately
stories about them which ultimately ended up in an exhibition and in a big
ended up in an exhibition and in a big
ended up in an exhibition and in a big city council discussion
city council discussion
city council discussion and we’d realize we’d created a platform
and we’d realize we’d created a platform
and we’d realize we’d created a platform for dialogue where people could
for dialogue where people could
for dialogue where people could ultimately start seeing them in a more
ultimately start seeing them in a more
ultimately start seeing them in a more intimate way but sort of what haunted me
intimate way but sort of what haunted me
intimate way but sort of what haunted me about all of that was that in the end
about all of that was that in the end
about all of that was that in the end when I asked it on my 80 different
when I asked it on my 80 different
when I asked it on my 80 different members of this different communities
members of this different communities
members of this different communities what is your biggest dream most of them
what is your biggest dream most of them
what is your biggest dream most of them would say a job so I thought wow yeah
would say a job so I thought wow yeah
would say a job so I thought wow yeah this is great what I’m doing creating
this is great what I’m doing creating
this is great what I’m doing creating platforms of dialog but how can I be
platforms of dialog but how can I be
platforms of dialog but how can I be more sustainable how can we leave longer
more sustainable how can we leave longer
more sustainable how can we leave longer longer effects of these collaborations
longer effects of these collaborations
longer effects of these collaborations so that brings me to collaborations and
so that brings me to collaborations and
so that brings me to collaborations and this is when I started at one point
this is when I started at one point
this is when I started at one point being obsessive about Bali I often
being obsessive about Bali I often
being obsessive about Bali I often decide to go to a new place or country
decide to go to a new place or country
decide to go to a new place or country through dreams and I’ll dream so
through dreams and I’ll dream so
through dreams and I’ll dream so strongly about these places that I
strongly about these places that I
strongly about these places that I already see myself there and then I end
already see myself there and then I end
already see myself there and then I end up there one way or the other and so in
up there one way or the other and so in
up there one way or the other and so in Bali
Bali
Bali since Bali is an interesting place
since Bali is an interesting place
since Bali is an interesting place because they were Refuge the people from
because they were Refuge the people from
because they were Refuge the people from Bali were originally refugees they’re
Bali were originally refugees they’re
Bali were originally refugees they’re Hindu which is strange for Indonesia
Hindu which is strange for Indonesia
Hindu which is strange for Indonesia which is mainly Muslim and they all have
which is mainly Muslim and they all have
which is mainly Muslim and they all have some genetics which goes back to Kings
some genetics which goes back to Kings
some genetics which goes back to Kings craftsmen or artists because the Kings
craftsmen or artists because the Kings
craftsmen or artists because the Kings when they were escaping took with them
when they were escaping took with them
when they were escaping took with them their artists because they were planning
their artists because they were planning
their artists because they were planning on making again their palaces etc so I
on making again their palaces etc so I
on making again their palaces etc so I figured okay that’s not a bad codex of
figured okay that’s not a bad codex of
figured okay that’s not a bad codex of genetics to have and I decided I wanted
genetics to have and I decided I wanted
genetics to have and I decided I wanted a study batik and so I came to a board
a study batik and so I came to a board
a study batik and so I came to a board had no sort of concept of where to look
had no sort of concept of where to look
had no sort of concept of where to look and I was looking and looking and there
and I was looking and looking and there
and I was looking and looking and there were many sort of batik places for
were many sort of batik places for
were many sort of batik places for painting for tourists and it just didn’t
painting for tourists and it just didn’t
painting for tourists and it just didn’t seem the right thing and then one day
seem the right thing and then one day
seem the right thing and then one day since I became close friends with
since I became close friends with
since I became close friends with various people in the boards they told
various people in the boards they told
various people in the boards they told me oh there’s a strange traditional
me oh there’s a strange traditional
me oh there’s a strange traditional Factory in Penang so to get the Penang
Factory in Penang so to get the Penang
Factory in Penang so to get the Penang one had to go through a jungle by
one had to go through a jungle by
one had to go through a jungle by motorcycle I don’t even know how to ride
motorcycle I don’t even know how to ride
motorcycle I don’t even know how to ride a bike but I somehow managed to find
a bike but I somehow managed to find
a bike but I somehow managed to find someone who would take me on a daily
someone who would take me on a daily
someone who would take me on a daily basis and I came there and I begged them
basis and I came there and I begged them
basis and I came there and I begged them I said please you know I know it seems
I said please you know I know it seems
I said please you know I know it seems weird but I would really like to learn
weird but I would really like to learn
weird but I would really like to learn this technique and understand what it is
this technique and understand what it is
this technique and understand what it is like to do a craft and they took me in
like to do a craft and they took me in
like to do a craft and they took me in and ended up staying there
and ended up staying there
and ended up staying there for three months and although I created
for three months and although I created
for three months and although I created a whole series of my own work what was
a whole series of my own work what was
a whole series of my own work what was amazing was that they were inspired by
amazing was that they were inspired by
amazing was that they were inspired by the fact that somebody wanted to learn
the fact that somebody wanted to learn
the fact that somebody wanted to learn and they next year created a school and
and they next year created a school and
and they next year created a school and with the additional money from the
with the additional money from the
with the additional money from the school they actually managed to uplift
school they actually managed to uplift
school they actually managed to uplift their factories etc so that was great
their factories etc so that was great
their factories etc so that was great and I continued I came back again and I
and I continued I came back again and I
and I continued I came back again and I wanted to see how could we
wanted to see how could we
wanted to see how could we something like craft which is so time
something like craft which is so time
something like craft which is so time consuming and meditative in a way how
consuming and meditative in a way how
consuming and meditative in a way how can we manage to save it and upgrade it
can we manage to save it and upgrade it
can we manage to save it and upgrade it in a society where there’s no more time
in a society where there’s no more time
in a society where there’s no more time and everything is easy come easy go
and everything is easy come easy go
and everything is easy come easy go consumers so I was inspired by the kina
consumers so I was inspired by the kina
consumers so I was inspired by the kina shell from Papua New Guinea and the
shell from Papua New Guinea and the
shell from Papua New Guinea and the colour bubu from the Nia Islands and
colour bubu from the Nia Islands and
colour bubu from the Nia Islands and these were male adornment and warriors
these were male adornment and warriors
these were male adornment and warriors and I decided that this was going to be
and I decided that this was going to be
and I decided that this was going to be something that I was going to redesign
something that I was going to redesign
something that I was going to redesign so with the craftsman from adora and and
so with the craftsman from adora and and
so with the craftsman from adora and and Nusa Penida we came up with this whole
Nusa Penida we came up with this whole
Nusa Penida we came up with this whole new jewelry line and it was actually
new jewelry line and it was actually
new jewelry line and it was actually exciting for them and for me and then I
exciting for them and for me and then I
exciting for them and for me and then I came back to Croatia and actually we
came back to Croatia and actually we
came back to Croatia and actually we created a whole visual for it which
created a whole visual for it which
created a whole visual for it which ultimately then got published in fancy
ultimately then got published in fancy
ultimately then got published in fancy fashion magazines but ultimately what
fashion magazines but ultimately what
fashion magazines but ultimately what was important was that the craftsman
was important was that the craftsman
was important was that the craftsman business went up and I found a way to
business went up and I found a way to
business went up and I found a way to somehow create something more
somehow create something more
somehow create something more sustainable and not lose their skillset
sustainable and not lose their skillset
sustainable and not lose their skillset time goes by and I started thinking more
time goes by and I started thinking more
time goes by and I started thinking more like an entrepreneur the way things
like an entrepreneur the way things
like an entrepreneur the way things remain sustainable is if they have a
remain sustainable is if they have a
remain sustainable is if they have a continuous flow of economics and if the
continuous flow of economics and if the
continuous flow of economics and if the if the concept behind them is something
if the concept behind them is something
if the concept behind them is something which can be taken into different
which can be taken into different
which can be taken into different generations so ended up applying for a
generations so ended up applying for a
generations so ended up applying for a job here and this is the most amazing
job here and this is the most amazing
job here and this is the most amazing building within a most amazing history
building within a most amazing history
building within a most amazing history it was not to get into because I see the
it was not to get into because I see the
it was not to get into because I see the minutes are going really fast and
minutes are going really fast and
minutes are going really fast and ultimately within six months of becoming
ultimately within six months of becoming
ultimately within six months of becoming the director of the huddle ooh I
the director of the huddle ooh I
the director of the huddle ooh I realized that they were going bankrupt
realized that they were going bankrupt
realized that they were going bankrupt and this was something that no one had
and this was something that no one had
and this was something that no one had really
really
really explain to me but what was more worrying
explain to me but what was more worrying
explain to me but what was more worrying than the financial situation was the
than the financial situation was the
than the financial situation was the fact that nobody gave a damn and not
fact that nobody gave a damn and not
fact that nobody gave a damn and not even the members really cared that this
even the members really cared that this
even the members really cared that this black hole falls down and there was a
black hole falls down and there was a
black hole falls down and there was a recession in Croatia but most of the
recession in Croatia but most of the
recession in Croatia but most of the time it is and so I said oh god what am
time it is and so I said oh god what am
time it is and so I said oh god what am I going to do like you know now they put
I going to do like you know now they put
I going to do like you know now they put the Diaspora scape scapegoat I’m gonna
the Diaspora scape scapegoat I’m gonna
the Diaspora scape scapegoat I’m gonna be the one closing the door
be the one closing the door
be the one closing the door he’ll know because this is the first
he’ll know because this is the first
he’ll know because this is the first round exhibition space in Europe
round exhibition space in Europe
round exhibition space in Europe it’s the oldest artists Association in
it’s the oldest artists Association in
it’s the oldest artists Association in the region and I just felt it didn’t
the region and I just felt it didn’t
the region and I just felt it didn’t deserve to die and so I figured
deserve to die and so I figured
deserve to die and so I figured creatives make something out of nothing
creatives make something out of nothing
creatives make something out of nothing and so I came up with ultimate and
and so I came up with ultimate and
and so I came up with ultimate and ultimate was made with zero budget first
ultimate was made with zero budget first
ultimate was made with zero budget first year we’ve had 14 days of programming
year we’ve had 14 days of programming
year we’ve had 14 days of programming nine hours a day and we had a most
nine hours a day and we had a most
nine hours a day and we had a most amazing outpouring of solidarity of
amazing outpouring of solidarity of
amazing outpouring of solidarity of various artists so what we had done was
various artists so what we had done was
various artists so what we had done was we just open the doors of the huddle
we just open the doors of the huddle
we just open the doors of the huddle wide open and said street artists
wide open and said street artists
wide open and said street artists designers craftspeople artists come show
designers craftspeople artists come show
designers craftspeople artists come show us what you got we have to remember that
us what you got we have to remember that
us what you got we have to remember that people forget why art is important why
people forget why art is important why
people forget why art is important why creativity is important to make a long
creativity is important to make a long
creativity is important to make a long story short I can’t believe I’m gonna go
story short I can’t believe I’m gonna go
story short I can’t believe I’m gonna go way over my time automata consisted of
way over my time automata consisted of
way over my time automata consisted of five things one was this fair where as
five things one was this fair where as
five things one was this fair where as you can see here there was various
you can see here there was various
you can see here there was various different types of objects and people
different types of objects and people
different types of objects and people were able to present themselves first
were able to present themselves first
were able to present themselves first time to a wider public another part was
time to a wider public another part was
time to a wider public another part was always giving free education I believe
always giving free education I believe
always giving free education I believe people cannot assume that art is
people cannot assume that art is
people cannot assume that art is important or creativity is important
important or creativity is important
important or creativity is important unless they’ve felt it on their own skin
unless they’ve felt it on their own skin
unless they’ve felt it on their own skin so always was a concept even if we had
so always was a concept even if we had
so always was a concept even if we had absolutely no money workshops had to be
absolutely no money workshops had to be
absolutely no money workshops had to be for free then showing the creative
for free then showing the creative
for free then showing the creative process here’s a mandala done by
process here’s a mandala done by
process here’s a mandala done by Sergeyevich I wanted people to see how
Sergeyevich I wanted people to see how
Sergeyevich I wanted people to see how things birth from an idea to completion
things birth from an idea to completion
things birth from an idea to completion to the wonderful program of Melinda chef
to the wonderful program of Melinda chef
to the wonderful program of Melinda chef teach which is this is actually 280
teach which is this is actually 280
teach which is this is actually 280 metres below and they would within 18
metres below and they would within 18
metres below and they would within 18 hours people could interact and get and
hours people could interact and get and
hours people could interact and get and draw
draw
draw and they would create this enormous work
and they would create this enormous work
and they would create this enormous work of art to creating moments which created
of art to creating moments which created
of art to creating moments which created inclusiveness this was the Kandinsky
inclusiveness this was the Kandinsky
inclusiveness this was the Kandinsky experiment and here we my whole concept
experiment and here we my whole concept
experiment and here we my whole concept was I hate the word special-needs if
was I hate the word special-needs if
was I hate the word special-needs if anything I feel I have special needs but
anything I feel I have special needs but
anything I feel I have special needs but I think that people with special needs
I think that people with special needs
I think that people with special needs have special talents and this was
have special talents and this was
have special talents and this was actually done with the association of
actually done with the association of
actually done with the association of the blind and we would bind everybody’s
the blind and we would bind everybody’s
the blind and we would bind everybody’s eyes and have different types of live
eyes and have different types of live
eyes and have different types of live music and people with paint without one
music and people with paint without one
music and people with paint without one sense and we realized that the
sense and we realized that the
sense and we realized that the association of the blind actually helped
association of the blind actually helped
association of the blind actually helped us see and we worked with country
us see and we worked with country
us see and we worked with country enabled projects like this with commands
enabled projects like this with commands
enabled projects like this with commands code bringing designers and artists
code bringing designers and artists
code bringing designers and artists together creating you and then one of
together creating you and then one of
together creating you and then one of the major things that I want to tell you
the major things that I want to tell you
the major things that I want to tell you about was kadesha cop elisa so he came
about was kadesha cop elisa so he came
about was kadesha cop elisa so he came and told me i have a crazy idea i said
and told me i have a crazy idea i said
and told me i have a crazy idea i said what is it i mean a whole place is
what is it i mean a whole place is
what is it i mean a whole place is falling apart what can be crazier than
falling apart what can be crazier than
falling apart what can be crazier than that and he said well I want to put
that and he said well I want to put
that and he said well I want to put lanterns and have them be lifted in
lanterns and have them be lifted in
lanterns and have them be lifted in front of the fodder loom I said well you
front of the fodder loom I said well you
front of the fodder loom I said well you know jeez I’ve seen that in Thailand but
know jeez I’ve seen that in Thailand but
know jeez I’ve seen that in Thailand but as always by the water or the sea like
as always by the water or the sea like
as always by the water or the sea like ok why not let’s do it why not later on
ok why not let’s do it why not later on
ok why not let’s do it why not later on obviously thinking that I might cause
obviously thinking that I might cause
obviously thinking that I might cause Anarchy burn down the building and you
Anarchy burn down the building and you
Anarchy burn down the building and you know would be much worse than I thought
know would be much worse than I thought
know would be much worse than I thought before and so it actually turned out to
before and so it actually turned out to
before and so it actually turned out to be the most amazing event which in four
be the most amazing event which in four
be the most amazing event which in four years went from 100 lanterns and 300
years went from 100 lanterns and 300
years went from 100 lanterns and 300 participants to in the fourth year
participants to in the fourth year
participants to in the fourth year thousand lanterns and ten thousand
thousand lanterns and ten thousand
thousand lanterns and ten thousand people so what this brought me to was
people so what this brought me to was
people so what this brought me to was that it was so important to create
that it was so important to create
that it was so important to create community and in a country like Croatia
community and in a country like Croatia
community and in a country like Croatia which has unfortunately been so
which has unfortunately been so
which has unfortunately been so polarized this was a very important task
polarized this was a very important task
polarized this was a very important task to do and I realized that these
to do and I realized that these
to do and I realized that these platforms are tomate ultimately was a
platforms are tomate ultimately was a
platforms are tomate ultimately was a platform is what I wanted to continue
platform is what I wanted to continue
platform is what I wanted to continue developing so I came to Dubrovnik oh
developing so I came to Dubrovnik oh
developing so I came to Dubrovnik oh these were the results of our tomate
these were the results of our tomate
these were the results of our tomate there you go everyone’s impressed ok
there you go everyone’s impressed ok
there you go everyone’s impressed ok then we go to these platforms and these
then we go to these platforms and these
then we go to these platforms and these platforms ultimately premiere the new
platforms ultimately premiere the new
platforms ultimately premiere the new paradigms and I’ve started
paradigms and I’ve started
paradigms and I’ve started lysing that creativity is ultimately a
lysing that creativity is ultimately a
lysing that creativity is ultimately a combination of things it’s arts crafts
combination of things it’s arts crafts
combination of things it’s arts crafts and science and when you mix that in
and science and when you mix that in
and science and when you mix that in with entrepreneurship healthy
with entrepreneurship healthy
with entrepreneurship healthy entrepreneurship ie cultural
entrepreneurship ie cultural
entrepreneurship ie cultural entrepreneurship social entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship social entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship social entrepreneurship we create sort of new paradigms and with
we create sort of new paradigms and with
we create sort of new paradigms and with that type of thought process I came to
that type of thought process I came to
that type of thought process I came to Dubrovnik and Google to make a city
Dubrovnik and Google to make a city
Dubrovnik and Google to make a city which five hundred years ago was so
which five hundred years ago was so
which five hundred years ago was so innovative which had you know consulates
innovative which had you know consulates
innovative which had you know consulates around the world as a kid I was going to
around the world as a kid I was going to
around the world as a kid I was going to Indian sink sveti vlas church and all of
Indian sink sveti vlas church and all of
Indian sink sveti vlas church and all of a sudden it became a city where
a sudden it became a city where
a sudden it became a city where commodity had become more important than
commodity had become more important than
commodity had become more important than community where innovativeness had been
community where innovativeness had been
community where innovativeness had been lost and where people again were being
lost and where people again were being
lost and where people again were being somehow ignored and so the concept was
somehow ignored and so the concept was
somehow ignored and so the concept was how do we create such a platform an
how do we create such a platform an
how do we create such a platform an international platform in a place like
international platform in a place like
international platform in a place like do Bernie that deserves it and this is
do Bernie that deserves it and this is
do Bernie that deserves it and this is the concept which we’re working on now
the concept which we’re working on now
the concept which we’re working on now in lazada tea the thing with with the
in lazada tea the thing with with the
in lazada tea the thing with with the new paradigm and why I believe these are
new paradigm and why I believe these are
new paradigm and why I believe these are the paths of the future is that I see
the paths of the future is that I see
the paths of the future is that I see them happening all over the world I
them happening all over the world I
them happening all over the world I could spend another hour even though I’m
could spend another hour even though I’m
could spend another hour even though I’m already way over my time just talking
already way over my time just talking
already way over my time just talking about the positive examples of new
about the positive examples of new
about the positive examples of new methodologies of working and this is a
methodologies of working and this is a
methodologies of working and this is a sign of a shift of consciousness and we
sign of a shift of consciousness and we
sign of a shift of consciousness and we have to shift our consciousness because
have to shift our consciousness because
have to shift our consciousness because if you look around us we are surrounded
if you look around us we are surrounded
if you look around us we are surrounded by destruction we’re killing our planet
by destruction we’re killing our planet
by destruction we’re killing our planet we have created the largest number of
we have created the largest number of
we have created the largest number of extinct species since the time of the
extinct species since the time of the
extinct species since the time of the dinosaurs the Great Barrier Reef has
dinosaurs the Great Barrier Reef has
dinosaurs the Great Barrier Reef has been proclaimed dead after 25 million
been proclaimed dead after 25 million
been proclaimed dead after 25 million years where continuous wars refugee
years where continuous wars refugee
years where continuous wars refugee crisis could go on and on and we all of
crisis could go on and on and we all of
crisis could go on and on and we all of a sudden have to start thinking are we
a sudden have to start thinking are we
a sudden have to start thinking are we going to be witnesses and part of this
going to be witnesses and part of this
going to be witnesses and part of this fear factor are we going to somehow
fear factor are we going to somehow
fear factor are we going to somehow activate and be part of the solution so
activate and be part of the solution so
activate and be part of the solution so pretty much the summit down and what
pretty much the summit down and what
pretty much the summit down and what I’ve learned in this sort of journey so
I’ve learned in this sort of journey so
I’ve learned in this sort of journey so far is that problems are often
far is that problems are often
far is that problems are often opportunities in disguise that whenever
opportunities in disguise that whenever
opportunities in disguise that whenever you can collaborate instead of compete
you can collaborate instead of compete
you can collaborate instead of compete because competing feeds the ego
because competing feeds the ego
because competing feeds the ego collaboration feeds the soul and now
collaboration feeds the soul and now
collaboration feeds the soul and now even though not everyone is meant to be
even though not everyone is meant to be
even though not everyone is meant to be an artist everybody absolutely everybody
an artist everybody absolutely everybody
an artist everybody absolutely everybody has creativity within them and that is
has creativity within them and that is
has creativity within them and that is an amazing gift and it is a gift which
an amazing gift and it is a gift which
an amazing gift and it is a gift which could have us create a different type of
could have us create a different type of
could have us create a different type of future so I leave you with the wise
future so I leave you with the wise
future so I leave you with the wise words of Carl Jung if you’re a gifted
words of Carl Jung if you’re a gifted
words of Carl Jung if you’re a gifted person it doesn’t mean that you gain
person it doesn’t mean that you gain
person it doesn’t mean that you gain something it means that you have
something it means that you have
something it means that you have something to give back thank you Father
”
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