Keeping these Values and Principles Close to Me
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We are defined through our values and principles. As Michelle Obama said so perfectly "If they go low, we go high".
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When Creative Work is lost amid the Algorithms
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Some thoughts on algorithms and sharing creative work on the internet.
Read MoreBig Data or How to Assess Impact
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In all our effort to put the puzzle pieces of this world together, analyze data or predict behavior we forget that one little factor that is not consistent in their actions: HUMANS. Predicting actions has done more harm than good. Most data collecting has to do with short-term thinking, so I'm really wondering what it can predict. If a piece goes viral are we darned to follow a recipe that predicts the next success? How does a more reasonable long-term data collecting look like and what are the parameters for success and eventually long-term impact? What are the right time scales to perceive growth and value?
Read MoreWell-being among Arts Professionals and in Creative Work: Sacrification is Not a Badge of Honor
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Self-care is a topic we usually avoid when talking about careers. We think that the mere admitting that we need to take care of ourselves might give the impression that we are weak. I didn't want to write about the topic in the first place because I feel that there are so many people out there giving advice and not walking their talk. I felt that the term became some sort of marketing strategy to sell you the latest beauty lotion. Anyways, the topic appeared in many conversations I've had with colleagues and friends over the last months on the topic of Art as Labor and I thought it might be time to finally share some thoughts I find valuable.
Read MoreDLD Conference 2017 Key Takeaways: The Future of Work, Education, Fake News & More
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I had the great pleasure to spend last week at the DLD17 in Munich. As usual on conferences of this kind I wish I could have a sneak peek into the notebook of the participants around me. Everyone will find different insights valuable and notable. Here a little glance into my key takeaways on the future of work, education, fake news and more...
Read MoreWalking 2200 Km on the Camino de Santiago: Art Historical Highlights
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I spent three months on the St. James trail, the Camino de Santiago, through Switzerland, France and Spain. It has been a fantastic journey with incredible people I met and the beauty of the landscape. In this article I reflect on the connection between the Camino and its cultural legacy and share some of my highlights along the way. Prepare for lots of images :-) Art Historian meets adventure...
Read MoreTaking a mini sabbatical to enjoy a magical journey
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I am announcing a mini sabbatical from August until the end of October 2016 to hike over 2000 km on one of the oldest cultural routes of Europe: The Camino de Santiago. In our age that is obsessed with achievements, production and efficiency, once in a while, I feel the need to slow down and check if my values, my imagination and my bodily sense of being are still aligned. We measure our days and plans with our gadgets, we are constantly optimizing our routines to become some sort of super human. Sometimes I think that modern life moves faster than our thoughts are able to follow and we jump to conclusions because we lack time to really think about events or experiences. To take a long-distance hike means to measure everything in a human scale again and to refuse to accelerate on the pace imposed by technology.
Read MoreThoughts on Art as Labor
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This year I am dedicating myself to the area of art as labor. It is an attempt to open a dialogue around how labor is defined in the arts and what it means to choose a profession in the creative sector. It is not a new research area and a lot of interesting work has already been done. Nevertheless, some problems seem recurring and others are connected to the current Zeitgeist. I know it can be exhausting to constantly fight the same problems, therefore, it is so comforting to see how others handle similar issues and that we all together as a community are able to change circumstances. This is the motivation to build a library of resources with this blog around different topics for professional and aspiring culture and art worker.
Read MoreThe Myth of Museum Neutrality
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Museums have to define their role within society to remain significant in the future. In the past museums were temples where knowledge was preserved and education was the highest value. This might still be a big asset, but with this purpose comes the voice of institutional authority, that does not facilitate a dialogue with the people visiting the museum. Museums are facing a shift in visitors engagement, storytelling, institutional organization, and what in means to be a successful museum.
Read MoreEmpowerment and Storytelling
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I am fascinated by people who are able to tell a good story, but also sometimes scared of how a powerful story can be appropriated for marketing reasons. A story is something that is inspiring, empowering and in the same way unique to this person, it contains a broader truth to which others can relate. But, what transforms a good story into a long-lasting one, how can storytelling facilitate empowerment and what are the connections between art and storytelling?
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