Among the many challenges the lockdown has brought, the ascent of nature has been among the unexpected gifts. Cultural institutions are embracing that view to shift and refresh their locked-down patrons.
Read MoreThe Onion and Riz Ahmed on The Pressure to Be Productive During Lockdown
Perspective we need: The Onion’s sublimely funny, spot-on commentary on the pressure to be creative during the “free time” of quarantining + Riz Ahmed’s wise view.
Read MoreIt Feels SO Great to Laugh at Our Dark Fear
We found ourselves laughing out loud at this perfect 1-minute clip from a 1983 segment of Cheers. That would be US.
Read MoreNew Yorker’s Coronavirus Cartoons are Funny, Wise and Curiously Comforting
These New Yorker cartoons describe the peculiar brand of anxiety that has become our weird shared experience. They give a much-needed sense of connectedness, AND levity…
Read MoreA 16-Second Film’s Moment of Zen Sparks Haiku and a Writing Practice
In this 16 second film, a blow torch + hair dryer + popcorn makes for a curiously zen moment. We found two haiku to go with it. Then we remembered our friend Tim Chegwidden’s timed poetry-writing practice…
Read MoreCopy This: Pamela Hovland’s Holiday Wreath
Spotted on the instagram of designer Pamela Hovland, who masterminded Improvised Life’s first iteration ten years ago: her holiday wreath in an imaginative, uniquely festive application…
Read MoreCrazy Beautiful Joy Dance via Issey Miyake PFW20
We’ve watched this little video on instagram many times now, vicariously soaking up its unexpectedly BIG expression of joy AND its insight into the most common of personal catalysts…
Read MoreFred Sandback on Needing a Place to Play and Letting Your Fingers Think
Artist Fred Sandback stretched lengths of colored yarn taut in a space to make people experience it differently. His booklet, A Children’s Guide to Seeing, made to accompany an exhibition provides serious illumination for adults…
Read MoreUniversal Everything’s Flower People Parade of Joy and Wonder (with Rumi)
Here are a few moments of delight and wonder from video artists/experience designers/future thinkers, Universal Everything. A Rumi poem that jumped into our hands cast it in a surprising light.
Read MoreA Few Sexy Things in Honor of a National Self Pleasure Month
We’ve just learned that May is National Masturbation Month. To celebrate, we thought we’d post a few of our favorite finds on the theme, which include everyday “niche” pleasures, phallic skywriting and a charming animated film.
Read MoreAt 85, Madhur Jaffrey Goes Gansta Sexy and Fierce
Zohran Mamdani’s astonishing rap video, “Nani”, featuring 85-year-old food writer Madhur Jaffrey is both hilarious and riveting, NOT your usual old-person-doing-rap thing. Jaffrey is sexy and fierce.
Read MoreRunning With Wild Horses (W.S. Merwin)
View this video full screen to feel like you are galloping with one of the oldest breed of horses on earth. Then read this astonishing poem.
Read MoreWhen An Artist Fails as a Person, Is Their Work Invalid?
When I was young, I thought that an artwork reflected the values of the person who made it. Over time, I learned that this was very often not the case…
Read MoreWrite Messages and Poems Instantly In Katie Holten’s Tree Alphabet
Katie Holten developed her Tree Alphabet to let us “translate our words into something beyond us”. Experience just that at when you type in words to her webportal and/or download her gift of a font.
Read MoreHow Wigs Changed My Life (Fran Black)
Fran Black resorted to wearing a wig while she was growing her dyed hair out gray. Then she realized how fun and transformative wearing a wig can be, and bought more.
Read MoreMallomar, the Seasonal, Interactive, Pop Culture Cookie
Available only in winter months when it’s real chocolate coating won’t melt, Mallomars are a deeply satisfying seasonal cookie that inspires very personal improvisation…(and has MANY cultural references to boot).
Read MoreBecause Something is Invisible Doesn’t Make It Any Less Fun
We got a big smile on our face when we saw this surprising, very magical little video. It is charming, and, as Swissmiss put it so perfectly: HAPPINESS.
Read MorePerspective: Politics 75 Years Ago, via The New Yorker
Things seem so dire politically, that we jumped on to the New Yorker’s cartoon bank to see if we could find something that would lighten things up a bit.
Read MorePractice ‘How to Be an Explorer of the World’ by Traveling into Ancient Paintings
This charming 3-minute animated journey through four ancient Chinese paintings is a lesson in experiencing art and life; it called to mind Kerri Smith’s How to Be an Explorer of the World….
Read MoreHow a Cheap Wig and Selfies Revealed Another Possible Self
A few years ago, I bought a cheap, silvery wig on Amazon for $13. It would prove to be a mighty catalyst for change…
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