NUNC Sessions: Season One
The first Season of NUNC Sessions (April-August 2020) was wrapped up after eight editions of themed gatherings. This is our format of informal meetings, big or small, in physical or virtual spaces, where meaningful discussions are brought forth as check points to where we are in life. Space where honest and healthy disagreements takes place, a shared-experience where all individual intentions cross-pollinate into a shared calling.
Here comes a recap of our discussions, as well as some note-worthy thoughts and quotes from the panelists.
Thank you to all who joined.
Get ready for Season Two.
Session 1: “The Boiling Frog”
In the pilot edition of our online format we discussed the metaphor & myth of the Boiling Frog: if you put one in boiling water it will hop out immediately; if you gradually increase the temperature of the water, it will let itself be boiled.
When is the threshold to recognize, that we are, in fact, getting boiled? What is the threshold between our awareness (realizing a moment of crisis) and our eventual deliberated response?
We discussed the threshold between awareness to reaction, and ways to protest for a cause, whil we are all stuck at home.
Session 2: “The Skin We Wear”
In the second instalment of Sessions, we unpeeled the layers of our skin, to discover at the core of it, a blackhole that leads to the possible other-universe, the confrontation of our 'true self' versus perceived-self. How does unconscious processing lead us to our eventual decision, and what do they reveal about our core identity?
“I am a nomad who always stays in the same place” Aleksandra Chojenta
Session 3: “The Box”
In Session 3, we featured as our Limelight Panelists, a creative duo of Huldufugl - Owen Hindley (Horizon Studio) & Nanna Gunnars (Reykjavík Fringe Festival).
In their VR live performance, "A Box in the Desert", you imagine you find yourself inside an invisible box in an endless desert. While you’re in the box, you remain safe; however, you have the choice to liberate yourself and brave the dangers of the outside world. Is it actually better to remain in the box, safe from harm?
Exploring the performance led us to the main question - "What is the box?" Is it a parameter designed by what we consume, and our inherent bias? Is it our guiding voice led by Trust or Fear? Who has the power to define The Box for us? Is Safety and Free Will only for the privileged ones? Would you give up your right for security? Finally, if a time comes where your home would be invaded, what are the possessions you would dearly protect, and what are the things you are ready to leave behind? What do our choices say about us?
Session 4: “Circut of Help & Helplessness”
Session 4 was a meaningful exchange to remember. Raising the question of the hues and shades between healing, helping and serving, the common thread that tied us inherently was that most of us have no hesitation to offer our help, albeit “seeking help” surfaced as something that leads to “guilt and shame”. Why do we sometimes or often feel” unworthy” of deserving help? Who gives us the right to help? What defines an act of selfishness, when we choose to help someone, or abandon them?
While we deconstructed the act of help, the panel unraveled an existential questioning of our very own loneliness. How do we convert this individual solitude into a sense-making collective responsibility, keeping one another’s sanity in check? How can we sustain our offer as a humble servant, love & support-giver, materializing our honesty in the system, amongst strangers and loved ones, and most importantly, within ourselves?
“Feel free to not ask for my help.” Shay Benish
Session 5: “Et Tu, Brute?”
The notorious phrase “ET TU, BRUTE?” from the play “Julius Caesar”, by William Shakespeare was an inspiration for a session about Loyalty. What is the threshold that nudges us over to betray our own belief? When is betrayal worth advocating and even celebrated?
Halfway into the session, NUNC challenged the panelists: “What is one cause you’d like to betray today, but for whatever reason, you feel like you cannot??” The answer, trickled down to a common denominator of “I would like to betray… CAPITALISM”. Niclas noted “I want to free myself from MY CONSERVATIVE SIDE” but that challenging status quo is difficult because other people are watching, and maybe judging. To conclude, the panelists have decided upon finding an Island of (In)sanity together, where a new civilization can be built and where dancing shoes are mandatory.
After Session 5, panelists received a task to show off their DANCE OF REVOLUTION. Aleksandra Chojenta recorded hers, and treated us to a wonderful gift.
Session 6: “Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall”
In Session 6, We delved into the purpose of our digital existence and questioned the need for physicality of digital objects. Why do we sit on virtual chairs? Can we quench real thirst with digital water?
The underlying drive of the session was finding ways to express ourselves in the virtual world.
What is the relationship between the “physical” and “virtual”? Are the “digital selves” a truthful representation of who we are, or do they serve to reflect our dreams and potential?
"Am I the sum of all my avatars?" Casper Grey
Session 7: “The Path to Oblivion”
In this Session, we took a deep dive into the idea of “CARING”. We asked questions about the intention of our concern. Do we only care because we want to be cared for? How should we share our resources and with whom, and how do we set boundaries?
Another realm of discussion was Power; Who has the privilege to care, and to be cared for? Why do we feel guilty of not-caring-enough for those who are less fortunate? When confronted with our own mortality, would we care about anything different than we do today? Is it ok to be self-centered in our care? Is selfishness always bad?
Session 8: “Now, You Don’t”
This session was dedicated to Invisibility. We played hide-and-seek with the concept of being unseen. We closed our eyes, put on cloaks of invisibility and intently listened to incorporeal voices of the others. How do we hear body language? What do we see - and what remains unnoticed, to be found right in front of our eyes? What happens, when we finally find “the perfect hiding spot”? Are we fine with being forgotten? How do we perform your invisibility: by blending in, hiding away, or by distraction? If given a real invisibility cloak, would we become Heroes, or Villains? Would we act on our desires, or let go of them? What does our disappearance say about us? Where can we go?
Sincere gratitude to all that joined us in Season One of NUNC Sessions.
We had with us:
1st:
- Shay Benish (Tel Aviv, Israel) - Creative Strategist, Experience Designer, Consultant
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Stefano D'Alessio (Vienna, Austria) - New Media Artist, Composer and Educator
- Mahan Charmshir (The Hague, Netherlands) - Researcher in International Legal Studies
2nd:
- Owen Hindley (Reykjavik, Iceland) - Creative Technologist of Horizon Studio
- Hakime Ghafari (Vienna, Austria) - Trauma Therapist, Psychologist and Researcher
- Bea Areilza (Stockholm, Sweden) - Brand Manager, Digital Producer
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Piotr Zaniewicz (Wroclaw, Poland) - Advisor, Interim CMO, Founder, Healer
- Jasmijn Schrofer (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - Director, Artist, Producer
3rd:
- Owen Hindley (Reykjavík, Iceland) - Creative Technologist of Horizon Studio
- Nanna Gunnars (Reykjavík, Iceland) - Festival Director of Reykjavík Fringe Festival
- Anna Madlener (Berlin, Germany) - Marine Robotics Engineer
- Nandi Nobell (London, UK) - Futurist, Visionary, Senior Associate at Callison RTKL
- Nils Fridén (Stockholm, Sweden) - Video Designer, Artist
- Warren Teo (New York, USA) - Design Director at Big SpaceShip
- Mahan Charmshir (The Hague, Netherlands) - Researcher in International Legal Studies
4th:
- Pepe Borrás (Valencia, Spain) - Digital media expert, Creative Strategist
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Piotr Zaniewicz (Wroclaw, Poland) - Advisor, Interim CMO, Founder, Healer
- Shay Benish (Tel Aviv, Israel) - Creative Strategist, Experience Designer, Consultant
- Lauren Victoria (Berlin, Germany) - Costume Designer, Stylist
5th:
- Niclas Ihrén (Stockholm, Sweden) - Advisor in Radical Innovation, Founder of Matters Group
- Elena Mozgovaya (Moscow, Russia) - Education Program Producer, Strelka Institute for Media
- Hazem Shahin (Stockholm, Sweden) - Producer, Delegate at the Red Cross
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
6th:
- Michał Stec (Warsaw, Poland) - Lead Producer at CD Project RED, Wim Hof Method instructor
- Stefano D'Alessio (Vienna, Austria) - New Media Artist, Composer and Educator
- Jonas Johansson (Stockholm, Sweden) - Artist-activist
- Beatrix Joyce (Belin, Germany) - Performance artist and dance writer
- Martina Menegon (Vienna, Austria) - Artist, lecturer and curator
- Pepe Borrás (Valencia, Spain) - Creative and social entrepreneur
7th:
- Stefan Yazzie (Vienna, Austria) - Designer, Entrepreneur and Film Maker
- Hary Shanthii (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - Researcher on Climate Change Mitigation
- Hakime Ghafari (Vienna, Austria) - Trauma Therapist, Psychologist and Researcher
- Yoav Goldwein (Berlin, Germany) - Urbanist and Explorer
8th:
- Andrew Hefler (Budapest, Hungary) - Performing Artist &Trainer, Writer/ Director
- Beatrix Joyce (Berlin, Germany) - Dancer, Writer
- Warren Teo (New York, USA) - Design Director at Big Spaceship
- Min Sun (New York, USA) - Jewellery Designer of Tiffany & Co.
- Alex Williams (Berlin, Germany) - Creative Interactive Designer
We see you.
You may now open your eyes.
The first Season of NUNC Sessions (April-August 2020) was wrapped up after eight editions of themed gatherings. This is our format of informal meetings, big or small, in physical or virtual spaces, where meaningful discussions are brought forth as check points to where we are in life. Space where honest and healthy disagreements takes place, a shared-experience where all individual intentions cross-pollinate into a shared calling.
Here comes a recap of our discussions, as well as some note-worthy thoughts and quotes from the panelists.
Thank you to all who joined.
Get ready for Season Two.
Session 1: “The Boiling Frog”
In the pilot edition of our online format we discussed the metaphor & myth of the Boiling Frog: if you put one in boiling water it will hop out immediately; if you gradually increase the temperature of the water, it will let itself be boiled.
When is the threshold to recognize, that we are, in fact, getting boiled? What is the threshold between our awareness (realizing a moment of crisis) and our eventual deliberated response?
We discussed the threshold between awareness to reaction, and ways to protest for a cause, whil we are all stuck at home.
Session 2: “The Skin We Wear”
In the second instalment of Sessions, we unpeeled the layers of our skin, to discover at the core of it, a blackhole that leads to the possible other-universe, the confrontation of our 'true self' versus perceived-self. How does unconscious processing lead us to our eventual decision, and what do they reveal about our core identity?
“I am a nomad who always stays in the same place” Aleksandra Chojenta
Session 3: “The Box”
In Session 3, we featured as our Limelight Panelists, a creative duo of Huldufugl - Owen Hindley (Horizon Studio) & Nanna Gunnars (Reykjavík Fringe Festival).
In their VR live performance, "A Box in the Desert", you imagine you find yourself inside an invisible box in an endless desert. While you’re in the box, you remain safe; however, you have the choice to liberate yourself and brave the dangers of the outside world. Is it actually better to remain in the box, safe from harm?
Exploring the performance led us to the main question - "What is the box?" Is it a parameter designed by what we consume, and our inherent bias? Is it our guiding voice led by Trust or Fear? Who has the power to define The Box for us? Is Safety and Free Will only for the privileged ones? Would you give up your right for security? Finally, if a time comes where your home would be invaded, what are the possessions you would dearly protect, and what are the things you are ready to leave behind? What do our choices say about us?
Session 4: “Circut of Help & Helplessness”
Session 4 was a meaningful exchange to remember. Raising the question of the hues and shades between healing, helping and serving, the common thread that tied us inherently was that most of us have no hesitation to offer our help, albeit “seeking help” surfaced as something that leads to “guilt and shame”. Why do we sometimes or often feel” unworthy” of deserving help? Who gives us the right to help? What defines an act of selfishness, when we choose to help someone, or abandon them?
While we deconstructed the act of help, the panel unraveled an existential questioning of our very own loneliness. How do we convert this individual solitude into a sense-making collective responsibility, keeping one another’s sanity in check? How can we sustain our offer as a humble servant, love & support-giver, materializing our honesty in the system, amongst strangers and loved ones, and most importantly, within ourselves?
“Feel free to not ask for my help.” Shay Benish
Session 5: “Et Tu, Brute?”
The notorious phrase “ET TU, BRUTE?” from the play “Julius Caesar”, by William Shakespeare was an inspiration for a session about Loyalty. What is the threshold that nudges us over to betray our own belief? When is betrayal worth advocating and even celebrated?
Halfway into the session, NUNC challenged the panelists: “What is one cause you’d like to betray today, but for whatever reason, you feel like you cannot??” The answer, trickled down to a common denominator of “I would like to betray… CAPITALISM”. Niclas noted “I want to free myself from MY CONSERVATIVE SIDE” but that challenging status quo is difficult because other people are watching, and maybe judging. To conclude, the panelists have decided upon finding an Island of (In)sanity together, where a new civilization can be built and where dancing shoes are mandatory.
After Session 5, panelists received a task to show off their DANCE OF REVOLUTION. Aleksandra Chojenta recorded hers, and treated us to a wonderful gift.
Session 6: “Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall”
In Session 6, We delved into the purpose of our digital existence and questioned the need for physicality of digital objects. Why do we sit on virtual chairs? Can we quench real thirst with digital water?
The underlying drive of the session was finding ways to express ourselves in the virtual world.
What is the relationship between the “physical” and “virtual”? Are the “digital selves” a truthful representation of who we are, or do they serve to reflect our dreams and potential?
"Am I the sum of all my avatars?" Casper Grey
Session 7: “The Path to Oblivion”
In this Session, we took a deep dive into the idea of “CARING”. We asked questions about the intention of our concern. Do we only care because we want to be cared for? How should we share our resources and with whom, and how do we set boundaries?
Another realm of discussion was Power; Who has the privilege to care, and to be cared for? Why do we feel guilty of not-caring-enough for those who are less fortunate? When confronted with our own mortality, would we care about anything different than we do today? Is it ok to be self-centered in our care? Is selfishness always bad?
Session 8: “Now, You Don’t”
This session was dedicated to Invisibility. We played hide-and-seek with the concept of being unseen. We closed our eyes, put on cloaks of invisibility and intently listened to incorporeal voices of the others. How do we hear body language? What do we see - and what remains unnoticed, to be found right in front of our eyes? What happens, when we finally find “the perfect hiding spot”? Are we fine with being forgotten? How do we perform your invisibility: by blending in, hiding away, or by distraction? If given a real invisibility cloak, would we become Heroes, or Villains? Would we act on our desires, or let go of them? What does our disappearance say about us? Where can we go?
Sincere gratitude to all that joined us in Season One of NUNC Sessions.
We had with us:
1st:
- Shay Benish (Tel Aviv, Israel) - Creative Strategist, Experience Designer, Consultant
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Stefano D'Alessio (Vienna, Austria) - New Media Artist, Composer and Educator
- Mahan Charmshir (The Hague, Netherlands) - Researcher in International Legal Studies
2nd:
- Owen Hindley (Reykjavik, Iceland) - Creative Technologist of Horizon Studio
- Hakime Ghafari (Vienna, Austria) - Trauma Therapist, Psychologist and Researcher
- Bea Areilza (Stockholm, Sweden) - Brand Manager, Digital Producer
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Piotr Zaniewicz (Wroclaw, Poland) - Advisor, Interim CMO, Founder, Healer
- Jasmijn Schrofer (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - Director, Artist, Producer
3rd:
- Owen Hindley (Reykjavík, Iceland) - Creative Technologist of Horizon Studio
- Nanna Gunnars (Reykjavík, Iceland) - Festival Director of Reykjavík Fringe Festival
- Anna Madlener (Berlin, Germany) - Marine Robotics Engineer
- Nandi Nobell (London, UK) - Futurist, Visionary, Senior Associate at Callison RTKL
- Nils Fridén (Stockholm, Sweden) - Video Designer, Artist
- Warren Teo (New York, USA) - Design Director at Big SpaceShip
- Mahan Charmshir (The Hague, Netherlands) - Researcher in International Legal Studies
4th:
- Pepe Borrás (Valencia, Spain) - Digital media expert, Creative Strategist
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
- Piotr Zaniewicz (Wroclaw, Poland) - Advisor, Interim CMO, Founder, Healer
- Shay Benish (Tel Aviv, Israel) - Creative Strategist, Experience Designer, Consultant
- Lauren Victoria (Berlin, Germany) - Costume Designer, Stylist
5th:
- Niclas Ihrén (Stockholm, Sweden) - Advisor in Radical Innovation, Founder of Matters Group
- Elena Mozgovaya (Moscow, Russia) - Education Program Producer, Strelka Institute for Media
- Hazem Shahin (Stockholm, Sweden) - Producer, Delegate at the Red Cross
- Aleksandra Chojenta (Wroclaw, Poland) - Cultural Projects Coordinator
6th:
- Michał Stec (Warsaw, Poland) - Lead Producer at CD Project RED, Wim Hof Method instructor
- Stefano D'Alessio (Vienna, Austria) - New Media Artist, Composer and Educator
- Jonas Johansson (Stockholm, Sweden) - Artist-activist
- Beatrix Joyce (Belin, Germany) - Performance artist and dance writer
- Martina Menegon (Vienna, Austria) - Artist, lecturer and curator
- Pepe Borrás (Valencia, Spain) - Creative and social entrepreneur
7th:
- Stefan Yazzie (Vienna, Austria) - Designer, Entrepreneur and Film Maker
- Hary Shanthii (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - Researcher on Climate Change Mitigation
- Hakime Ghafari (Vienna, Austria) - Trauma Therapist, Psychologist and Researcher
- Yoav Goldwein (Berlin, Germany) - Urbanist and Explorer
8th:
- Andrew Hefler (Budapest, Hungary) - Performing Artist &Trainer, Writer/ Director
- Beatrix Joyce (Berlin, Germany) - Dancer, Writer
- Warren Teo (New York, USA) - Design Director at Big Spaceship
- Min Sun (New York, USA) - Jewellery Designer of Tiffany & Co.
- Alex Williams (Berlin, Germany) - Creative Interactive Designer
We see you.
You may now open your eyes.
