When we seek out keynote speakers for our winter and summer conferences , there ’ s a few pieces of criteria that are absolutely essential . First , the person needs to value and live out creativity in and through the arts on a daily basis . Second , we want to make sure these folks connect and resonate with our audience . And third , they need to bring something special or unique to the table - something that makes us see the world just a little differently .
So when I first discovered Phil Hansen , I knew that we wanted him to join us for our winter conference event . He fits our criteria like a glove . And when I heard his TED talk , Embrace the Shake , I was awestruck yet again by the power of the arts to help us transcend our circumstances .
As with so many of our speakers , Phil is generous and forthcoming about helping as many people as possible to connect in and through the arts . He kindly sat down with me for an interview prior to our conference event to answer some questions about STEAM , how to use your disadvantage as a strength , and why the arts make all the difference in the 21st century .
When did you discover my love for creating ? Who / what inspired you ?
Creating in one form or another has always been a part of my life . My parents always prefered me to be out playing or making something over watching TV so I learned from an early age to entertain myself . From that I developed a very healthy amount of curiosity .
From an early age , I ’ ve always been perplexed by the question of who or what inspires action . I never felt a sense of being inspired to create , I just always wanted to create . There are artists that I think are amazing but I wouldn ’ t say it inspired me to create . When I think about what gets us creating , one element we all need is motivation . That motivation comes in many forms whether it be through external influences like inspiration or internal sources like curiosity . Curiosity is something I have in droves . So the way I see it is I am inspired by all the things around me that get me curious and excited .
Your art is so unique , what is your favorite creative outlet to explore ?
I create in many different ways purely because it keeps me engaged . It is rare that I create with the same material numerous times because I get bored with it . The only method of creation I find myself continually intrigued by is handwritten stories provided by my viewers .
Art can be a pathway to human expression . What are you trying to express ?
I ’ m simply expressing excitement and joy . If I may veer slightly off topic for a second , I feel that much of art gets pigeonholed into needing to be about a subject . It needs to comment on a topic . I feel as though our society has boxed many artists in to a point that they struggle to create because of factors imposed by the outside . Many times I find myself shunning that expectation and just enjoying creating , enjoy art , enjoy life .
STEAMed Magazine
21
January 2017 Edition