We visited OFFF Sevilla.
We visited OFFF Sevilla.
Despite the impression that people in the digital age are more interconnected, recent interactions with various experts from the cultural and creative industries at the OFFF Sevilla festival revealed the opposite: deep human connections seem lacking worldwide, including in the mentioned industry.
Fundamental understanding should be the starting point with the right to expand from that moment on in a form that suits those responsible. Connecting with people on an authentically human level, it seems, will be an ongoing learning process for all of us in the foreseeable future, except perhaps for the organizers of the OFFF festival and their guest speakers.
OFFF is designed for those who are curious
OFFF is synonymous with a global creative gathering and a meeting of curious minds worldwide. Its reputation as a critical event in creativity, design, digital art, and innovation attracts top-tier global names. This year's edition in Seville took place from December 14 to 16 at the Royal Artillery Factory, a historic site with three centuries of history, making it one of Spain's most significant cultural centres, Real Fábrica de Artillería. Initially launched in Barcelona in 2001, OFFF has become a must-attend event. It has had pop-up editions in various cities, including New York, Lisbon, Paris, London, Vienna, and Montreal.
From a program perspective, it comprises lectures, workshops, presentations, and exhibitions and is also a platform for connection. I was honoured to be part of OFFF Sevilla as a festival guest. I was impressed by the philosophy, which, along with HAIKU communications collaborators, I want to bring to our area. I, too, strive to live according to experiential principles extensively discussed in the Andalusian paradise.
"Let's talk about difficult subjects"
The reason for my visit was Timothy Goodman, an artist whose work spans a broad spectrum – from murals to books, fashion to collaborations with well-known brands such as Uniqlo, Apple, Nike, Yves Saint Laurent, Google, Samsung, MoMa, and the New York Times. His latest graphic memoir, I Always Think It’s Forever was published by one of the significant American publishers, Simon & Schuster, while his social experiment 40 Days of Dating, with television rights, ended up in the hands of Netflix. However, what sets Goodman apart is his impressive biography and tireless dedication to topics that strike at the core of human existence, such as mental health, masculinity, race, politics, broken hearts, and love.
Timothy started the lecture with a simple but powerful statement, "Let's talk about difficult subjects," and with the question, "What that shit means?" he addressed the terms thrown around in the creative industry, such as Strategic Thinking, Design Thinking, Brand Values, Systematic Platforms, Cross Pollination. It is essential to note that this is not about a lack of knowledge or an unwillingness to understand the new, as the speaker himself teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Goodman's critique lies in the necessity of adopting new contexts and knowledge primarily to foster deeper connections with people and their life experiences.
"If the opening sequence doesn't give you goosebumps, it hasn't done its job."
Filipe Carvalho, an Emmy Award-winning motion designer and film/TV director, shaped his professional journey by exploring various business systems. During the day, he was a full-time designer, a freelancer at night, and spent his weekends sleeping. He maintained this rhythm for ten years until he entered a vicious cycle that stifled his creativity. Being an independent thinker in the system-driven industry leads to conformity until the independent scene consumes you faster than you think.
Through his lecture, the Portuguese wizard unveiled the art of creating titles and making a first impression. Westworld, Big Little Lies, and Snowfall are the fruits of his work, and despite creating global hits, his advice was like a guided meditation preparing the mind for a deep dive. Filipe proved that emotions truly begin with the press of play.
Today, from Portugal, he leads the studio Foreign Affairs where, with his, as he describes it, psychedelic style, he shapes projects such as HBO's documentary series Hostages. Emphasizing the importance of having an opinion and discussing opinions because that's the only way we can understand the world around us and do things that matter to us, Filipe has genuinely sent us a powerful message.
"Be independent and embrace change"
Twenty-two years ago, Simon Dixon and Aporva Baxi laid the foundation for their agency by creating a list of principles that defined their path. With incredible successes, such as the restoration of the iconic music venue KOKO in Camden and a collaboration with Netflix on the Endless Ribbon project, the creative London agency has remained true to its philosophy of Always in beta. The philosophy emphasizes a continuous openness to learning, growth, and adaptation in a dynamic environment.
At OFFF Sevilla, DixonBaxi revealed how they connect strategy and design and merge the real and digital worlds. Be original, Define our destiny, Design for everyone, Accept change, Be true to yourself, Be independent, Be ambitious, Work only with the person who decides, Answer the phone on the third ring, and Be Brave are the fundamental principles that have brought them to the current level of quality they provide to clients and collaborators.
"Sarcasm is desirable"
Gab Bois is a Canadian artist who gained international recognition through Instagram. She became renowned for her unique approach to art, combining photography, three-dimensional collages, and design to create surreal and often satirical visual compositions. For Gab, creativity is a muscle that requires constant exercise, and navigating through her works plunges you into a whirlwind of surreal visuals that defy human logic. Gab Bois has positioned herself at the forefront of visual composition, from croissant and kale handbags to clothing combinations crafted from Scrabble tiles or film reels. During the meeting of the curious, she presented her most notable collaborations with brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Converse.
The importance of interpersonal relationships was also discussed by the artist and designer Sarah Boris, representatives from the global digital giant Media Monks, and the visual artist, emotional storyteller, and creative strategist Rubén Álvarez RRRRUBE.
OFFF Sevilla gave me a deep insight into the essence of the creative industries and their connection to human experiences, especially the individual's curiosity, which is crucial for deeper interpersonal interactions and understanding everything we do. Philosophies like Goodman's need to discuss complex subjects, Carvalho's emphasis on thinking and mutual communication, and DixonBaxi's courage reminded me of the importance of authenticity.
From now on, OFFF is an indispensable place for me because it connects the world of creativity, design, and digital art and leaves everyone present inspired and open for further exploration – which, in my opinion, is the essence of life.
Made for the curious.
Made for the curious.
Author: Karla AndrićText was published on After5 portal