Issue #3 | Three is the magic number
Arianna, Eames, Vegas & Van Gogh
Hello dear readers!
Welcome to the 3rd installment of the sorta-October issue. A month filled with spookiness, Scorpios and my birthday! But wait, it’s November. I know. I am in the midst of job hunting, so my free time has been focused on this and I’ve neglected you. Please accept my apology!
The French, Uruguayan poet Comte de Lautréamon, said:
As beautiful as the chance encounter of a sewing machine and an umbrella on an operating table.
The latest issue of Inc! starts now.
An Ode to Eames
Working at an art museum opened my eyes to an incredible world and an unforgettable experience. In my first year at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, I was introduced to the creativity of Charles and Ray Eames. This prompted intense research on my part, as well as a pilgrimage to the Eames House in Pacific Palisades, CA.
Part of this research led me to the Powers of Ten film by Charles and Ray Eames. This video has had a big impact on my own creative development. So much so, that I decided to recreate one of the iconic shots.
If you’ve not seen the video, I highly recommend watching it below.
Here is the picnic shot from the film.
And here is my 2021 Fall version. Similar blanket colors, a tighter shot and a plate of donuts. Air Jordan’s too.
I love this quote from Charles Eames:
“Toys are not really as innocent as they look. Toys and games are precursors to serious ideas.”
I’m trying to have more fun in life. I hope it shows. Thank you Charles and Ray Eames for showing us all a different way of living.
Leadership Series: Museums
I connected on LinkedIn with Edith Schreurs, web manager at the Van Gogh Museum on July 27, 2009. When I was in the museum field 10+ years ago, she was pioneering digital work at the Van Gogh museum. I was fortunate to work with her on some projects, including ArtBabble, and admired her work from afar as an industry person but also as a massive Van Gogh fan.
Fast forward into the 20’s and Imagine my delight when I reached out to her and she 1) remembered me, 2) responded to my email, and 3) agreed to a leadership video interview. I am one lucky human.
Check out our interview where Edith shares her thoughts on making art more accessible, the future of museums (post-covid) and her favorite Van Gogh piece. Who wants to visit Amsterdam with me?
Texts with a Marketer
Arianna Cruz is an entrepreneur and mission-focused marketer based in Indianapolis. She runs her own magazine, MORE and is also Director of Marketing & Outreach at Big Brothers and Sisters of Central Indiana. She is an energetic, empathetic, emerging marketing leader and I thought we should all get to know her. So…we texted. It was a profound exchange.
Some of my favorite blurbs:
In regards to inspiration: “I look to people. I believe people are the base of everything. We move things forward, we keep things going. We encourage one another and love on each other, and someday when we (specifically like you and I) are gone, there will be more people with more ideas. I think it’s incredible that the no matter how much time passes, peoples’ experiences and perspectives will continue to build amazing and innovative new ideas.”
On advice for me (but applies to all of us): “…I’d say to continue to find ways to fill your cup. Let your cup always be so full that you are able to overflow into others—like a lovely champagne glass pyramid 🥂.”
I gotta fill my cup.
Behind the Lens
My father died 10 years ago this past month. You can read more about him here if you are interested. He died in Henderson, Nevada outside of Vegas, so I spent almost 2 weeks there helping my mom. During that period, I made the most of this great city and explored - lots of family time (mom, sisters, aunts), tears and laughter, trips to the airport, great food, a Lupe Fiasco concert, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and yes, the Neon Museum. Think of it as a graveyard for neon signs - a historical look at Las Vegas through these beautifully, hand crafted designs.
I love this photo. And if you’ve ever been on a Zoom (or Teams 😭) with me, you’ll recognize this hanging on the wall. It’s vibrant and the image is filled with messages that resonate with me. And if you’re ever in Vegas, go check out the museum. I’m a member and have some free passes if anyone wants them.
Consumption
The past month has been a busy one. Here are number of things I’m digging.
Video Games: It’s all about Far Cry 6 on PS5 for me right now. Loving it.
Watching: Oh boy, where to begin. You better believe I jumped all over Squid Game. I watched White Lotus (still processing). Of course the season finale of Ted Lasso. And Leslie introduced me to the cinematic classic, Practical Magic. I’ve kept a spreadsheet of all the movies, shows, books and music I’ve consumed this year. Looking forward to the end of year review.
Drinking: My very kind colleagues at work sent me a sh*t ton of sparking water, so have been up to my eyeballs in bubbles. I consider myself a sparkling water connoisseur. Doesn’t everyone have a sparkling water Pinterest board? Here’s some new taste tests.
Liquid Death - great taste, questionable branding
Lanllyr Source - a Welsh masterpiece with bubbles that slightly overstep their boundary.
antipodes - New Zealanders do everything well. Especially artisanal sparkling water.
However, Smeraldina is my original thirst trap.
Thank you for making it this far and reading through my 3rd newsletter. Have a wonderful November and if you have any feedback, please let me know! I’m working on #4 now!
Daniel