Iris Litschauer & Evelina Lundqvist & Ulrich Aydt about ember at Superbude Vienna

Speaker announcement: Isabella Hewlett speaks about Spicy at Haus der Musik 📣

Isabella Hewlett is a freelance photographer based in the UK and Austria. With over twelve years of experience, she predominantly works in editorial photography, but her versatile style spans various fields. Influenced by her artistic background and deep curiosity about people and their connections, she is drawn to documentary and fashion photography. Her work is marked by a distinct artistic touch that permeates all her creations.

With a strong passion for inclusivity, she dreams of sharing a diverse range of people’s stories through her lens. Her aim is to capture the beauty, complexity, and individuality of each subject, inviting viewers to feel a deeper connection to the world through her artistic perspective. As she looks ahead, she is committed to evolving her craft and expanding her narrative possibilities in the world of photography.

Foto Credit: Franklyn Rodgers (​@franklynrodgerscreates )

#VIECM #cmspicy #spicytalks #deeptalk #keynotespeaker #photographer #creativeminds #viennacreatives

26. April: Haus der Musik

In its unique interactive sound museum, Haus der Musik in Vienna presents a broad variety of innovative and unconventional approaches to music.

You’re invited to experience musical phenomena close up in the real and virtual sound worlds on four floors. Compose your own waltz with a throw of the dice, hear your name as an original Mozart composition, perform your own personal opera or direct the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Visitors get to know the great masters of classical music and immerse themselves in a fascinating world of sound.

Our theme for April is SPICY. It was chosen by our Tucson chapter and illustrated by Sophie McTear.

Oh yeah, that’s hot!

When you’re cooking, spices add flavor, depth, and complexity to an otherwise plain culinary dish. Spicy foods interact with receptors in our mouth and can trigger sensations of heat and even pain. Can you handle it? Being open to trying new and bold tastes is a good lesson for bringing daring and originality into all of our creative endeavors. As they say, “variety is the spice of life.”

Spicy can also be exciting and suggestive. A spicy comment or joke is provocative or controversial. Such “spicy takes” often challenge conventional beliefs and ignite strong, passionate reactions from people.

So, how can you make your work and approach to life spicier? Let’s bring the heat

Recap - Christian Cervantes about Perspective at Calienna

One of our most beautiful locations so far.

Our favorite take away: grow through life 🪴

More about Calienna.

Lisa Farkas is a contemporary visual artist and former lawyer. She creates art that not only impresses visually but also possesses profound meaning and evokes emotional resonance. Her works are a tribute to the most beautiful moments and grand aspirations of life, inspiring viewers to step out of their comfort zone, think big, and transcend themselves. With a keen sense for colour, concept, and symbolism, she creates abstract artworks that viewers can completely immerse themselves in, discovering countless details and symbols. Her vision and pursuit of excellence make her an inspiring figure in the contemporary art scene.

1. Reflecting on your journey as an artist, how has your perspective on your own work and its impact changed from when you started to now?

In earlier years, my focus was primarily on eternalizing valuable moments in life. However, over time, I have realized that with art, I can do much more than just capture the past. Art possesses the unique gift of touching, inspiring, and changing people’s perspectives without saying a single word. Today, I see my art as a medium and unique chance to tell inspiring stories that encourage reflection and change. It creates a personal connection between the artwork and the viewer that goes far beyond the visual.

2. Many artists have unique rituals or environments that help them create. How does your working environment or process influence the mood of your artwork?

I need a lot of light to paint and prefer rooms flooded with light and filled with many plants. My art studio is an urban jungle full of exotic plants. When I listen to the film music of international composers, I manage to get into the flow very fast. Then I forget everything else around me. It often happens that many hours pass before I realize how late it has become.

3. You want your art to resonate with personal stories and experiences. How do you incorporate the perspectives of your clients into your commissioned artworks?

Art that personally speaks to us, with which we can identify, has the power to inspire us. For this reason, each of my artworks tells a story, illustrated through symbols and concepts in the artworks.

In commissioned pieces, it’s important to me to understand the perspective of my collectors and to incorporate these into the artworks. Their stories, highlights in life and visions for the future are integrated into my work. Thus, artworks are created that capture and immortalize the essence and everything that defines the collectors. Such a piece of art accompanies them throughout their life and is passed on to the next generations.

4. In your “MAKE IT HAPPEN” series, you inspire people to build the life they dream of, while other collections, such as “GAMECHANGER” emphasize personal growth and vision. Can you share a personal experience where creating art changed your own perspective and helped you achieve a goal or a dream?

Art has accompanied me for as long as I can remember. I had been working as a lawyer for several years when I faced the significant decision to work exclusively as an artist in the future. In my artworks, I inspire others to be brave, to follow their path, and to build the life they dream of. And then I realised which path I wanted to take, and I am incredibly happy and grateful to now be living my dream.

5. How do you hope your art changes or enhances the perspective of those who experience it?

An artwork that surrounds us every day and reminds us of something specific has a great influence on us. My goal is to remind people of their potential and their goals through my art, to open new perspectives, and to encourage them to pursue them. People who love what they do and are happy with their lives exude contagious positivity and are an important inspiration for others.

Instagram

Website

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

Over two decades, Christian Cervantes has journeyed eastward from Orange County, California through LA, NYC, London, and finally Vienna, experiencing profound personal and professional growth. His early love for skateboarding, snowboarding, and music ignited a lifelong passion for design, guiding him through a fulfilling 15-year career across New York and London’s vibrant creative sectors. As a Creative Director at the internationally celebrated agency, Mother, Christian refined his skills in strategy, branding and art direction, collaborating with high-profile clients like Nike, Zaha Hadid, Google, BBC, Kodak, New York Fashion Week, and Calvin Klein, among others.

Seeking a new chapter focused on creating something deeply personal, Christian and his plant-loving wife ventured to Vienna, where Calienna came to life in 2020. Far from being just a concept store, Calienna is their manifesto for growth, with Christian applying his creative background to forge a deeper connection between individuals, nature, and their inner selves. Join us as he shares his evolving perspective transitioning from a creative consultant to embracing the challenges of being on the other side of the table, revealing the lessons learned in starting and building a brand that’s a testament to authentic growth, creativity and manifesting one’s personal vision.

LOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT🌱

In Vienna’s Neubau district, Calienna presents a harmonious blend of concept store, café, gallery, and design studio, fostering community, connection, and self-discovery. Visitors are welcomed into a world where they can immerse themselves in an exquisite collection of plants, bespoke objects, transformative reads, and dynamic discussions. It’s an oasis for mindful living and creativity, deepening connections with nature and oneself, embodying Calienna’s commitment to a thoughtful, inspired lifestyle and their mantra “Grow Every Day”.

Calienna Projects, the couple’s design studio, extends this ethos into the realm of bespoke plant installations. Specializing in transforming spaces with the elegance and vitality of greenery, they collaborate with clients to bring bespoke visions to life, whether for homes, offices, or public spaces. Each project is a testament to Calienna’s dedication to craftsmanship, consideration, and creating environments that resonate with beauty and serenity, enhancing the way we live and work.

For more information visit their Instagram @calienna, their website calienna.com or their magical world at Neubaugasse 68, 1070 Vienna

Our theme for March is PERSPECTIVE.

It was chosen by our Fargo chapter and illustrated by Fred Gaye Wremeo.

Every creative act is an attempt to share a unique perspective on some slice of the world. What you see — and how you see it — shapes your beliefs. So, what’s your point of view? And how are you putting it into your work? What was the last piece of music, writing, illustration, or film that opened a new window on the world for you?

One of the most impactful artistic innovations was linear perspective; widely credited to Fillipo Brunelleschi in the early 15th century. This breakthrough enabled artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas, paving the way for the ornate art and architecture of the Renaissance. Today, it feels like we are at another precipice with AI generated images and video. We don’t know how this rapidly emerging artistic tech will shape our perspectives. The machine is already capable of evoking real emotions. But only we can understand those feelings.

Because seeing someone else’s point of view is uniquely human. Considering another perspective fosters empathy. And we all desperately need more empathy. Remember, looking at a problem from multiple angles generates more possible solutions. So, change your perspective and you can change your world.

Save the date: 5. April 2024

Christoph Liebentritt is currently one of the most hyped photographers in Vienna.

Christoph originally had a different professional background. That’s why we’re talking to him this month about the topic of “Native”.

1. Dear Christoph, as a photographer you have a particularly distinctive signature style - your pictures are unmistakably yours. You are known for your analogue photography. What fascinates you about it?

Analog photography slows things down, especially with the current prices :)) In the end, however, it is certainly down to the look and aesthetics of the images, which I find more interesting and simply more beautiful than the digital comparisons. I shoot most of my freelance work both analog and digital. It’s rare that I end up choosing the digital option.

2. You are currently very successful with your analogue, heavily flashed photography style - why do you think that is?

I don’t shoot exclusively with a strong flash. I do use flash and analog technology for many freelance projects. But you also have to be prepared for clients who sometimes appreciate and even want this type of photography. Especially in the artistic field. For many other clients and projects, however, this style is not suitable. You have to be prepared for that.

3. Your career didn’t start out in photography. What was it - and how did you discover your talent and passion for photography?

I studied Development Studies in Vienna. It was a course that interested me and took me all the way to Zimbabwe for my thesis. Nevertheless, I never worked in this field, as photography has always played an important role in my life. Starting out as a hobby, I quickly acquired my first clients. That was over 10 years ago now. I currently enjoy a colorful mix of clients, which makes my day-to-day work very varied.

4. When did you personally have your professional breakthrough as a photographer?

In my view, this cannot be linked to a specific year or customer. However, last year’s new client, the Vienna Burgtheater, made me very happy. It was a wonderful task to photograph the entire ensemble of this venerable theater

5. What can young creative people learn from you?

Don’t forget that others only cook with water too :)