I work as artistic director for a theatre in the Netherlands. I started my career as a playwright and theatre director. Since my career progressed into a different role, I have been increasingly channeling my creativity towards different forms of art, cultural expression and societal tradition. After years of making art that was made for audiences, I embarked on a new journey of what it means to create on a more personal level. How do I express my identity through creation and how do my creations influence who I am?
Allowing myself to explore what creation is for me, without the need to consider an audience or consumer, was a truly liberating experience. I soon found out that it is the process of creation, mentally and physically, what matters most to me. It is not about pursuing a desired endresult, but about learning, building skill, exploration of materials. The act of creation, provides an opportunity to be in the moment, to reflect on yourself, to give space to stand still in the whirlwind of life and ask questions about how we approach it. Therefore anything can be art: the art of making coffee, the art of organizing, the art of communication. It is about finding a mindset of peace and acceptance, taking it one step at a time, sometimes having to change direction, solve problems along the way, appreciating the result however it turns out. Finding the beauty in something being the result of this process, instead of striving for perfection. Allowing yourself that there can be no failure since the process is what matters most. One of the ways I practice this, is through Ikebana. I am a student of the Ikenobo institute and member of the Dutch chapter.
Another important aspect that became apparent for me, was the concept of purpose. I like to work on things that serve purpose or preserve purpose. I enjoy that when I created something, I can use and enjoy it in my daily life. I do not want my work to end up collecting dust, or only be able to enjoy in a passive manner. Creating things that have a purpose, brings beauty and fun into daily life. Art should be everywhere, and can exist in everything.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are a big factor in what I want to make and how I proceed to achieve this. I like to repair, repurpose, re-use. Work with existing materials to save them from ending up on landfill, challenging the materialism en consumerism that challenges our view on the value of what we are provided.
It is so normal to discard something in today’s society, to just buy it again. I believe when something is broken that served a purpose, I should show gratitude and honor it by committing time, attention and effort towards it like it has done for me. For example, I repair pottery and ceramics with kintsugi.
Creating awareness on value, also goes for wanting or needing something you do not own yet. It is easy to be inclined in buying too much of what we don't truly need, disregarding the impact of (mass) production on our environment and on the lives of other human beings. Having more understanding of how much energy and work something has cost to exist, ignites a much bigger appreciation for using or consuming things and feeling responsibility to care for them. This is one of the reasons I consider caring for my garden, where I grow vegetables and fruit following permaculture principles, a process of art as well. A very humbling experience, every season again, since it is not only about understanding and working with nature, but also about surrendering yourself to it.
Focussing on creating things that serve purpose, also makes you more mindful of the difference between wanting or needing something in your life. When this question is about whether or not to buy something, it makes you question things like: can I afford it, is it worth it, do i deserve it, do i want (to spend money on) it? Whereas when you would have to make it yourself to obtain it, it becomes a question of mental and physical labour: do I need or want it enough to spend my time, resources and energy on it? Not thinking in terms of monetary value, but personal value, gives you a much clearer answer on what you do or do not need or want. So for example, I make my own clothes from deadstock fabrics or old garments.
