0 the 1

NEWs! Blog Move

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Important announcement - I'm moving out and into the new ZeroTheOne.com - please update your readers, hope to still have you in this creative journey. I've never felt more inspired to take on new challenges like the Muse online workshop at Skillshare that is starting.... TODAY! Loads happening. Whelmed but content.

A big thank you to those who have been so kind and supported me in this blogger-existence, its been a wonderful trip. New adventures await. Hope to see you again!
Love,
Kat

Italy Tarot Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:56:00 +0000

Last year was full of interesting encounters and travels around Italy. One of the best was this sojourn with a merry band of tarot travelers, tracing the history, symbolism, and art of Tarot where it was originally found/created, in northern Italy. I wrote about it last year before the actual trip here. And now, months after, I've finally come around completing the trailer below, with things you might expect to see/find on this tour.

The experience itself was magical. Italy is almost always dramatic but add to that story a dimension of myth and meaning, bridging stories and events like seeing the secret mechanisms within an old watch or a painted masterpiece - or unraveling a mummy!

Awe is appropriate, so is bliss.

Communal streets with its common fare and folk. What is Italy without EATaly? never mind, another story!

Poseidon in all his masculine beauty in Bologna. Imaginary waves crash on his feet as he stands watch over the sea. Below him sea maidens in erotic display of their bosoms, heavy and taut in warm sea-green, riding demon dolphins diving down before climbing back up the surface. All this in public display for our enjoyment.

Street artists parade and shake the stillness of brick and concrete. Always insisting life is for the living, and live we must!

Find out more about this year's tarot tour here. I am so glad I found Arnell Ando, host and organizer of this tour who is also a respected tarot artist and owner of the online Tarot Emporium for all your tarot needs and curiosities. She is both gracious and divine, a wonderful person inside out.

More on her and other tarot stories soon.

Muse: 5 Key Steps

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:24:00 +0000

We had fun creating the materials and shooting parts of the video lecture for the upcoming Muse: A Video Portrait Workshop. Here are the 5 Key Steps - each of which will help you tell your muse video story in the best, easiest, and most enjoyable way. Class is starting soon, so join us if you haven't already and get started on your project here.

Phoenix Imago

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:07:00 +0000

Recently spent some time shooting the music video for Rob of Phoenix Imago around Rome. This is probably the fastest and most spontaneous multi-collaboration I've done with not just one but two creatives - the other being British artist Amy Hiley as main photographer (with most of her photos featured here).

First of all, it is so easy to shoot in Rome with its fine weather and perfect scenery. I think Rome did half of the work and all we really did was stand there with our cameras, eyes open, catching those beams and glimpses of wonder - whilst Rob finds his voice and song.

Later that night I organized with a local cafe/bar in Monti called Pierrot Le Fou for an intimate acoustic performance with Rob. I never really did so many things all at once but working with such open and creative folks, it is never impossible - and it is always fun! PLUS, Rob is such a natural on stage and off - it was great working with him and Amy.

The music video will follow soon. ;)

Muse: A Video Portrait Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Excellent news! We are teaching our first online class over at Skillshare and its all about creating Video Portraits. Learn more about that here. It is a really exciting new project for us - me and Francesco. Something we're both crazy about doing (doing it half crazy too, in a good way). Hope you'll join and explore this new territory with us. Don't worry, we'll try and cover everything important in a memorable way, playing with the online/digital possibilities available today. ;)

Childhood Apples

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 11:23:00 +0000

Two beautiful Lithuanians spent some time with us in Rome and cooked up this delish dish from their childhood. I'll be writing down the accurate ingredients + process soon. Meanwhile, enjoy this heart-warming treat.

In other news, finishing a lot of video projects plus upcoming skillshare online class on creating video portraits here. Sign up and enjoy 15% off with code EUNOIA. Video trailer for that will be coming soon. :)

Unplugged in Monti: Sam Beeton

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:39:00 +0000

Treat yourself to some live music direct from Monti in Rome. If it weren't for Francesca Tesei, deejay-ing crafter architect, I wouldn't have found the Black Market and Manuele Minuz and spontaneously shoot bits of this talented folkabilly Sam Beeton. It happened almost overnight. Tonight he plays at the club for all yea Rome dwellers.

You are worth more than many sparrows

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:02:00 +0000

We witnessed the making of this giant mural - a human tiered cake of the system (otherwise referred to as the tower of babel) and saw parts of what it took to make long time-lapse videos. In this case it took a week and around 3-4 different cameras all operated by Giacomo, not to mention all the tools/machinery required to paint this on the side of a building. Ozmo, the artist, says everything here like a giant mirror of Italy. Looking back and looking at this, I think both of them made a masterpiece. Find this at Macro in Via Nizza, Rome.

The dust may have settled. There is still so much to be done at least for me and the work that waits every morning for its turn, waits still with others. I like to think that I am not alone in this quest for completion. Everyday is still a chance and every now is someplace else than where we were before.

Jellyfishy for The Hive

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:15:00 +0000

I'll be holding a workshop at The Hive - European Blog Conference 2013.
Tickets are still available if you want to join in here!

Everyone's the Same - Kaapin

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:05:00 +0000

Made this music video after nearly a year in the back burner. I was asked by two good friends from home, talented musicians, who formed this electronic duo called KaapiN to work on their song which I loved to pieces. Being often in the realm of music as player/performer/appreciator, it was obvious I would accept this proposal. It was just a matter of when and how, and with who.

Early 2012 I got acquainted with Lucia and Simone - two very talented theater actors/directors who then became great friends as they too have a son the same age as ours. We've discussed this collaboration earlier last year but never really had the time (as all new moms) and now since we are serendipitously here in Ancona for the first week of 2013 and with the great power of minds that come together to make things work - voila, we did it! I'm really happy even if its nothing like the original plan. Porto Nuovo and Monte Conero of Ancona as our playground worked just right. and of course, Lucia, sei veramente BRAVA!

If you are predisposed to new music, different kinds of sounds and art and the manner in which people express themselves in reckless abandon then feel free to check out KaapiN. I used to be in a band with one of them and we made some awesome stuff together. Very proud of these guys.

Lets just say we are off to a good start 2013.

Rome Creatives 1st Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:38:00 +0000

Not too long ago I opened up a group within the InterNations community called Rome Creatives. The concept was to "Learn. Share. Create." - which became a kind of advocacy over the years of collaborating with creatives: artists, designers, musicians, philosophers, scientists, meditators, and their kin. They say "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Eat, drink and be merry? Perhaps that and a bit more substance.

By chance I found this sweet spot not too far from my son's first ever asilo/school. Its called Officina Dolce (more photos + article here), and immediately I thought - CUPCAKES! and also, brilliant location for a meet! One baby step led to another. I talked to the owner and created this little video portrait, put up my online flyer and had four people show up.

Two Italian ladies, one architect and one lawyer + a British working at FAO + a French who works for an international NGO = very interesting mix. We did a portrait activity together, something I adapted from the awesomest art school (MMM) I used to work in. And it went pretty well despite most everyone's lack of confidence in their drawing abilities.

Overall - a wonderful beginning for more interesting encounters in 2013!!! :) Excited for you and me and all! Lets bring in worthy challenges and great successes this new year.

Cheers!

Kat

Affordable Art Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Welcome to the Affordable Art Fair in Rome. I didn't expect to be so enthralled by this affair but as I was approaching the entrance with this gigantic bamboo installation, I knew I was about to be - well, wowed.

A short video I took of the event here:

Put simply, here you will find well curated art for less than 5000 euros by talented and emerging artists. Anyone who has ever loved art yet never considered collecting art can finally dabble into this (once) exclusive world without having to sell a leg or an arm. The organizers have made it so easy for anyone to do so that they provide a guide and assistance - a kind of art collector's 101 course.

The remains of the former slaughterhouse that is now Macro Museum of Contemporary Art

I love how emerging artists can be celebrated in this manner. Here it feels almost as if we are near them and seeing everyone looking through the pieces and imagining how it would fit their homes and spaces, directly communing with the art (even unknowingly) is quite beautiful to watch. People quietly feeling their way into the works. Surely an emotional response is important to choosing art, how it impacts you and how it contributes to the space it will inhabit.

My favorite part of all was receiving some free art materials! More on that soon. and if your curious to see more from this event, I wrote an article over at Poppytalk with more details. Ahhh now a spur of inspiration to get me back into the use of these hands. And you, how are you using your hands these days?

Libya 2006

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:57:00 +0000

That is a picture of the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Libya, from a distance. It is hard to imagine that once upon a time here in this dry desert was a thriving enterprise and an empire teeming with activity, drama, and culture just a few thousand years ago. Perhaps now it is all left completely to our imagination especially after the recent civil war and bombings. Without these landmarks, these fossils, who will remember? Unless one bothers to pick up a book, or look through some photographs, it is as if nothing happened. All turned into dust.

These film photographs were taken in 2006 by my husband Francesco. Back then he had the lucky opportunity to visit (it was never so easy for foreigners to visit Libya under Geddafi). At the time he was so inspired by his experience that he immediately wrote a book, very personal and he was about to publish it but unfortunately one of the real-life characters involved in the book did not approve of it and it had to go hidden until the recent war broke out and a sudden desire to release this work made him rewrite the whole book and publish it this year. I used some of his pictures from the actual trip to create the cover for Libya 2006: Viaggio a tre voci (A Trip in 3 Voices). Here is the design I came up with, my imagination of what Libya feels like.

The publisher has a fixed format for their books so I didn't have to design the title and text but here is how it looks printed.

It is in Italian and Francesco has some copies if anyone is interested in purchasing. Do you think its a good idea to try and make it available for purchase online?

InterNations

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:25:00 +0000

Not too long ago I thought I'd finally attend one of the gatherings of InterNations here in Italy. We happened to be in Bologna for the 5th anniversary party and so I contacted Neima Sitawi, an expat fashion designer who was the host of the event, and asked if I could do a short video/photo coverage. So I did and went and met some interesting people. One of them a bag designer for Prada in Florence who seemed too nice and friendly to be working for a haute couture brand. Tamsin, a certified expat and traveller, led me to this site and network and I thought, brilliant! People out of their countries all in one place! Have you connected with your local InterNations community yet?

Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:13:00 +0000

This is a chapter worth skipping as I am about to tread past blogging SOP and move back to how I once wrote online, back when nobody read my rambles and I was much more intense/intimate with life. It has been almost three years that I/we have been moving about and around Italy. Rome is treating us well, fairest weather, vibrant and crazy. It reminds me a little bit of another crazy capital - Manila, ten times more wacky where I last spent my days before I made this big move.

It has been several months now that I have been planning/anticipating our trip back to the Philippines. A year over after giving birth to our son now big enough to fly halfway across the planet, I’m more than excited to have him see and meet the big circle of friends and family back in the place I so dearly call home. Unfortunately we won’t be able to make the trip as a change of priorities and plans are set in motion.

Truth is, I never really thought I would be “living” my life in Italy. I didn’t realize this consequence of our marriage. Both of us being such nomads, I expected we would be moving about but I always knew my point of origin was still among these string of islands, the comfortable vicinity of sea and coconuts and laughter and friendship. I know this clearly now. Despite embracing and adopting this second “home”, I cannot lie. A part of me is anchored firmly in those shores.

I write to let go. This is my letter. So much of memory and nostalgia is holding me back from truly living and being here where I am. Come to think of it, the whole world is our home. A true nomad knows this. For this I can stop waiting for that distant trip and consider these moments, these times so ripe for building a life.

Rome our new Home

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 00:13:00 +0000

We recently got back from a trip up north covering this awesome Tarot tour and other interesting encounters. More on that soon. Of course we brought all our stuff with us (pots, pans, underwear, the necessities) throughout the trip until our final stop to our new home in Rome. We are undoubtedly lucky: first, to have found this apartment at the last minute. Second, to be alive to experience this life and meet such amazing people. Third - well, just thank you universe and whoever's out there winking. We are winking back and giggling! ;)

One last.. Summer Jamboree!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:02:00 +0000

Just one more summer fling before we turn the page and let the leaves fall. Come swing by Senigallia around august for Summer Jamboree, the hottest rockin' holiday on earth! I had been wanting to go for two years and finally came this time around - what a blast! Here are some of the photos from the big event with bands flying from everywhere in the world and lots and lots of dancing. :) better late than never!

Muse: La Tela

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:13:00 +0000

So I've finally completed the video for La Tela, our next door neighbor while we were living in Macerata for about a year (sometime last May). It is also a museum on artisan weaving and a handicrafts workshop! I know, I know.. It was one of the most amazing discoveries literally right outside our doorstep. I also wrote an article on them over at Poppytalk.

The red dress above is the culmination of the kind of detail, texture and color I so truly enjoy and admire / multi sensory! and of course the looms, the sound of weavers weaving, birds making rounds in the sky and a quiet little garden with all the plants used to naturally dye the fabric/yarns - all of this makes La Tela a creative space unlike any other.

Macerata, the area, is a home away from home, a truly authentic life in the province where time moves slow and light plays its magic over the hills completely erasing all trace of traffic, stress, TV. No wonder such dedicated activities like La Tela and even an art academy thrives here.

It took months to really come back and work on the video but I am happy to have come around finishing it. And if your interested in reading some more on La Tela, read up here.

Learning Curve

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:19:00 +0000

Once again we are at the crossroads with just a few week/s left before we leave Pesaro *tear*. Moving is an art and maybe it takes a lifetime to master because honestly, I've still got boxes to unpack and damn I should've taken Tamsin's word for it.

Always and always the same two words in my head, "Pack light."
Two days ago I saw a crate-full of magazines (travel, interior design) at the trash and seriously stood there and reflected... and let go..

Summer has been a seriously busy month. Can't say it was unpleasant or super BUT, and I mean this in all ways, full of learning. And much more learning awaits! While I've been busily finishing projects and freelancing I've also made a point to get back into study and learning. Not quite knowing where to invest my full energy on with the many passions I have and buffering the frustration of not being able to fulfill them, I must learn, I must expose myself to the elements and hope that over time some form of mastery will come of it.

Thankfully there are things like Coursera and Skillshare to fuel the curious learner in you. I've signed up for several classes come September and October (my official "vacation" period. I do think learning is FUN). and I would so love to organize google hangouts with you or anyone who plan on taking some of the free online courses to discuss and exchange notes/homework. :) geek out with me?

Oh, and to all new readers - welcome, Welcome!
To those who've been following for a while now, sorry for the lack of presence lately. I assure you I haven't gone off-the-grid (although I like the idea). I'm still passionate about sharing my love for people, art, travel - making things happen with others. SO you bet I'll be around and hopefully more often soon.

Stay in touch.

Love,
Kat

Muse: Stella Cerioni

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Stella is one of the first people we met when we moved to Pesaro. Through her, a whole different side of Italy opened up for me. She and her folk musician friends played at Gradara that beautiful night - a testament to the spiritedness of Italians (lucky that I get to see it intimately, ashamed I used to think that this heightened sense of communion and community was exclusive to where I am from).

Compared to most Italian women I've met, Stella holds conversations looking at you in the eye. Warm, open, a bit shy, curious, starry-eyed (Stella means star in Italian), I can tell her life is full of interesting stories and adventures waiting ahead of her. Here she spends some time sharing her music. I've only managed to capture some of our conversations because shes camera-shy but the little I took (with a baby in one arm. haha) tells the story of how she started playing the Organetto. Take a look at the video below.

Circus Mechanicus, Street Artists and Buskers

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Have a look into the tiny world of Circus Mechanicus! One of the the many attractions of the recent Pennabilli Street Artists and Busker's Festival, perhaps my favorite because of the whimsy, the lovely details and work put into it (the Hungarian lady, one of two who made this, told me it took 3 years to complete. Afterall, its a tiny circus - mechanicus! The characters inside MOVE.) Their group is called Tintalo. They do such wonderful projects and are completely inspired by the circus.

Its the first time I witness an event in the interior of central Italy (as countryside as it can get!) that was so big with crowds and performers from all over the world. There were performances ever hour, everywhere, until 2am for days and many quirky little shops and food stands, fun games for both young and young at heart like stilts (Claire was damn good at it!), wooden balancing things and objects that made me nostalgic about growing up before technological inventions like gameboy or pc gaming. Nothing beats 3d real-time interactive games!

She was so nice and happy to be taken a shot of. Looking out into rolling hills and greens, you too can imagine how anything is possible.

Parcels and Kitchen Offices

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Settling in quite nicely in this new space. The kitchen is now my other "office" with the new addition to our family, Claire, and the new friends and guests that come by that enjoy my asian fusion experiments. Of the many surprises I've had this first month, one of them is this package from Jillian, another blogger from north of Italy, another expat, a new friend I still have to meet. I love receiving mail and though I haven't been sending much out there since the move, I was more than happy to see this blue paper washi-taped parcel.

There were some funny treats from their recent trip to Japan, the coolest jacket for Adamo (thankfully still big enough for him to grow into. that boy is BIG!), and most surprising of all, one of her vintage aprons. Wow, I wasn't expecting that and YAY my first apron! Take a look at the full set here.

I really liked the tape she used with this saying, "Become who you are" or "Diventa quello che sei" from Nietsche. I think I've been doing that, surprising myself with what I find to be me.

Thank you for this Jill. un abbraccio :)

Clandestine Mazurka at Gradara

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:48:00 +0000

One word: home. That night outside the castle walls of Gradara, we met with a mix of folk musicians, creatives, friends of a friend we made recently when we moved to Pesaro. I know its been eons since I last wrote on this blog and hardly mentioned anything at all about, well, anything at all. Its been a great big move and a hell of a month. But something about it, something about all this just feels a lot like home.

Some bits:

Pesaro is awesome. In a month's time I've made more friends and connections than the two years I spent everywhere else (mostly between Ancona and Macerata - which I thought seemed worlds apart. I guess Pesaro is a whole leap outside the galaxy)
Earthquakes. The first big earthquake hit the area of Ferrara and made quite a mess. That area has never been considered a "seismic" zone but then just around the same day the first solar eclipse of year occured, there was the earthquake and a big nightmare woke me in the middle of the night only to be followed by another disturbing dream. An energy dive that came rising back up in the following days. Oh, and two more earthquakes followed. One early this morning near Rimini.
Claire. An English woman traveller is spending the summer with us to learn Italian and help watch over the little one - such luck and wow, big thank you Claire for coming to join our family even for just a short time.
Travelling alone with Adamo. I did it! It can be done! I've had some hesitation before due to the language and the sheer difficulty of Italian public transportation but will-power and shamelessness can really get the work done.
Growing pile of things to do. Slowly getting back my rhythm.

Thats all for now. Home and family - two things that go hand in hand. Both tracing its roots all the way back in time and space, finding at the very core that we're all deeply connected.

Manual for Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:54:00 +0000

a guest post by Tamsin Hickson

Most people hate moving. I adore it with a passion, one passed down to me by my mother. Her love of
moving manifested itself freely throughout my childhood, ensuring that by the time I turned eighteen I’d "loved" in twenty houses. She felt that settling meant death and when I told her, shortly after buying my first house with a garden in London, that I didn’t ever want to move again she reacted as though I’d confessed to a passion for torturing small animals.

From my years of experience I have some practical suggestions for Katrina. Only two: a long list would only add to the proliferation of lists swirling around her and Francesco as they settle into their new home.

Number one: messy doesn’t matter. Everything is in chaos and confusion, all your things are packed in the wrong boxes and there’s no bedding for the first night. Relax. Open a bottle of wine, use a towel as a sheet when you go to bed. You’ve years ahead to live tidily, with things packed neatly into cupboards and onto shelves. For now enjoy the chaos of the moment.

Number two: start hanging pictures on the second day. This comes from my mother, who always had all their pictures up by day three. It may take months, years even, to unpack boxes, but pictures make a home.

My mother said something else: people who move a lot move easily. This goes both ways: even though I've lived in my house for nine years, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere, I still get worrying tendrils of desire to up roots once again. When that happens I take myself off to sit in my kitchen and stare at the blank walls. I fell in love with my house because of the way the sunlight fell on the soft hand-moulded plaster and having protected it from Italian builders and the tide of human possessions I need only stare at the walls, contrasted against the grey green of olive trees glowing through the window, to remember why I live here. In minutes the fantasy house, with its unimaginably exciting new life, becomes ghostly and pale before disappearing altogether.

--------------------------------------

Tamsin lives in Le Marche with her loves, her family and friends who come to visit, nestled in a sweet spot surrounded by olive trees, rolling fields, sheep, shepherd, sun! I wrote about one of her great outdoor dinners sometime last year here. She writes like she is in real life, such a joy to read and be with. Find more at her blog here: http://catchinglarks.com/

Sunken Church

noreply@blogger.com (Kat Tan-Conte) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Over a month ago, a friend of Francesco asked me to bring to life his vision for this graphic inspired by the story of the sunken church in Ancona (read about it by scrolling down his blog here). I met Jason, a missionary unlike any other, and his family only a few times and felt sad they had to leave just when I was starting to settle in Italy. Anyway, we had an interesting conversation over tandoori chicken one time. Shared some thoughts on books. Malcolm Gladwell came up and a brief chat over The Black Swan (not the movie). I thought he was amazingly open and curious (hearing about the time Fra brought an anarchist to one of their dinners to discuss creation makes me want to bonk Fra's head but still, Jason is so chill. That was probably even fun for him - my guess.)

So here is Jason's vision of the sunken church - under the Adriatic sea! Thats the Duomo of Ancona, by the way still on top of a hill and can be viewed today should you pass by this port city. What a fun project to work on, this one. Thanks again Jason!

Hear more about him and his adventures over at www.sunkenchurch.com

On other life news, we just recently moved to Pesaro and I'm loving it. Still need to move in a few more stuff and working on finishing projects like Project Greece, which you can now subscribe to for launch updates and news as fresh as lemonade on a hot sunny day like today OH YES.