Bjork, Biophilia and pushing your limits
I think every person goes through a point in life where they feel trapped by their own life. We spend an enormous amount of time working towards a single goal whether it be money, a job or a house. When we hit that single goal of ours, people usually become three things; depressed, complacent or motivated. I am most interested in the people who can transcend their own trap, who can look beyond that singular goal as the end all be all.
Someone who exemplifies this is Icelandic Artist Bjork. Her approach to Art, Music, Technology and Education is something that I’ve followed since childhood. Her most recent work “Biopilia” exemplifies a forward thinking approach to getting children to interact with emerging technologies and ways of thinking about education. This project is a grand departure from playing electronic music in clubs and venues around the globe.
http://biophiliaeducational.org/
I can only assume that it gets tiresome as a musician when you reach a point of playing the same song over and over, night after night. This is why “Biophilia” is so important. As a high level international artist Bjork has a large platform to discuss ideas.
Bjork could’ve hung up her music career in the 90’s when she hit her plateau of popularity. Instead she started talking to other artists, musicians, educators and designers. Rather than give up or disappear, Bjork started to ask what she could do to transcend herself.
“Biophlia” is a cooperative project between Bjork, Several Nordic Countries and a large team of doers, designers, thinkers and educators. Designed to utilize creativity, natural science and technology, “Biophilia” is an immersive educational experience. The goal is “to promote innovation in schools, to break up traditional teaching methods and to set up a Nordic collaborative network, to encourage young peoples interest in music, natural science, technology and creativity.” This is done through the use of web and mobile applications, VR tech and several other forms of emerging tech.
Bjork and “Biophilia” are the proof that if you’re willing to look beyond your own goals, beyond your own perceived set of skills, you can grow in ways you never thought possible.
Having just begun the IXDMA graduate program at CU Boulder, I am identifying with Bjork’s desire to do more. As a Fine Artist I felt the limitations of my platform. However within the IXDMA program I’ve been given the opportunity to explore my own limits through modern tech and design practices. I can marry my creative skills with my desire to help people in a pragmatic way. If Bjork can use her creative and musical skills to teach Nordic students about the world, we can all go beyond our own limitations to create a more connected, just and beautiful world.
