alphabet

overheard today on the tram: kid and his dad talk about outlaws, the wild west and cowboys. Suddenly the kid asks: "So, what's your favourite letter?". Almost instantly came the puzzled "Heingh?!" from his father (at this point my face light up in a huge smile and I looked to the other side, so they couldn't see that I was entertained). "Your favourite letter?" the kid replied ignoring his father's confusion. Dad answered promptly: "B". "Mine is 'H'. And your least favourite letter?". "A", the father answered. "Mine is "S", the child continued and when his father asked him why, he said: "You know, I hate this 'sssssssss' (he meant the sound).

Unfortunatelly I didn't get all the arguments for liking "H" but I walked home in a great mood afterwards. It is only a child's mind who can come up with this question. And only a child's mind who can come up with actual letters and reasons for liking/disliking them (the father's answers were "A" and "B" - booooring!).

So what's your favourite letter? Mine is "K". Reasons: Because it's half of "O.K." and because it makes a pretty damn cool undercover agent code name.

picture source: Balázs Szabó's Behance portfolio

personal projects

Whenever I get the time, I want to work on several personal projects:

1. visual inspiration from Romania, is a short series of posts (maybe 5?) that will help me introduce Romanian artists to a larger audience. The focus of these posts lies less on fine arts in the traditional sense but more on urban, pop & digital art and youth culture in Romania. The first part can be found here on KoiKoiKoi.

2. music from Macau is a short series of posts planned for NeochaEDGE. It will profile several bands and DJ's and feature interviews with them and music videos of live performances. I am also planning an article featuring interviews with Portuguese and Chinese people from Macau (music critics, producers etc), who describe and comment on the current state of the local music scene. I am not sure yet, where I could submit such an article, but the people I have met so far, make it difficult for me not to want to put everything I discover on paper.

3. Chinese photography is a young project and the one that motivates me most at the moment. The idea behind it was that I wanted to introduce Chinese photographers, who I discover and interview for NeochaEDGE, to a German audience. Since I have access to both cultures, why not make something beautiful out of it? I have the opportunity to guest-blog for a German photography blog and I received pretty much freedom in what and how I wanted to write. But the more I plan this article, the more confused I become about its concept and what I want to achieve with it. And on top of everything I anticipate that it will take time. It's a long process of viewing portfolios, conversing with photographers, Chinese bloggers and photography experts, using google translator A LOT, deciding on how to showcase together professional and amateur photographers of different generations and different styles. But the wait will be worth it!

It's so exciting to discover, share and hopefully inspire!

digital inspiration from romania vol.1

I recently posted a showcase on KoiKoiKoi Visual Arts Magazine (link here to see the entire post). The idea behind it was to present readers with some examples of creative talent from Romania in the field of digital arts & design. It is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to offer a glimpse at the incredible creative potential of this country. It features Stefan Lucut, Matei Apostolescu, Cristian Ienciu, Sorin Bechira, Claudia Cimpan, Andrei Ograda.

image by Matei Apostolescu

notre jour viendra - teaser

Romain Gavras is the son of acclaimed Greek/French filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Below is the mysterious trailer for his first feature film "Notre Jour Viendra (Our Day Will Come)", starring Vincent Cassel & Olivier Barthelemy.

Gavras' past directing efforts (DJ Mehdi - Sigantune, Justice - Stress & the controversial M.I.A. - Born Free) have channeled towards (violent and distressing) music videos, but these are traditionally long enough to make short films, with a strong narrative and almost seeming as if the music is used as a soundtrack to the moving picture. Considering this, the announcement of the feature film came as no surprise.

Originally titled "Redheads" (oh my! reference to the "Born Free" music video?) the movie deals with the following problematic:

What do you do when you're a red-haired teenage loser with no friends except for an older guy, your shrink? When everyone hates you, especially your family? When all your peers make fun of you and kick you around? The answer: you and your loser buddy blow all the cash you can get your hands on to buy a sportscar, you dress smart and you head for the land of redheads, Ireland. But what starts off as a search for an ideal, gradually escalates into a rampage of hate, violence and self-destruction.

I am looking forward to this movie but I have to say that the trailer itself is beautiful and has definetely caught my eye (and ear).

Offical movie website.

notre jour viendra - feature film trailer from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

work

Through @reese I have come across this wonderful quote from 37signals' book "Rework" :

"You want to feel that if you stopped doing what you do, people would notice."

Basically it suggests that one needs to feel that one's work is needed, helpful and that it makes a difference, that one's efforts are valuable and appreciated. This is the most important driving force behind motivated work.

And this is not just a motto I believe everyone who needs to supervise a group should try to apply when it comes to motivating individuals or teams. It's a question we might as well just ask ouselves, while we're at it. And if the answer is not satifying, we need to change either the line of work, or the "client" ;-)

only man

Here is a very cool video for English band Audio Bullys' "Only Man" (out March 23rd) from their new album "Higher than the Eiffel", which will be released March, 29th.

The video was directed by Jonas and Francois (Justice, Madonna, Kanye West) from famous Paris based production company El Nino. Although their other version of the video is also noteworthy (set as a duel to be the "only man" featuring some nice vintage Porsche cars), this one is definetely an eye catcher, with interesting camera work and awesome custom type molded into sneaker soles:

audiobullys - only man from EL NINO on Vimeo.

via Stefan Lucut

bakuchi dancer

Here is a very nice video for a very catchy song by DOES, titled "Bakuchi Dancer". Unfortunatelly, the quality is pretty poor but considering that it will probably be removed soon, enjoy it while you still can.