Coffee & Conversations with Johanna... An interview with the Creative Marketing & Social Media Director at OSIER.

It's 11.00 am and we are both enjoying our coffees. To set the mood for today we play a song that Johanna loves: Metaverse by Marco Kleebauer. She is highlighting her favourite part: "Where is the singularity when you need it? Why are we still alone?" Johanna explains that we live in a world with so many options and plurality that it is almost impossible not to get distracted. As a child, she used to be able to read for hours, reading being an activity that separated her from the hectic outside world.

What does your day look like - do you have a routine or do you prefer a more spontaneous day?

"Coffee is always part of it!"

I use my routine to get more creative. I love to prepare my black coffee in the morning and enjoy it very hot. After that, I try to read for at least 45 minutes without distraction. Getting concentrated!

 

"Youthful enthusiasm is something that is always coming back."

DO YOU HAVE A HAPPY THOUGHT OF YOUR CHILDHOOD THAT KEEPS COMING BACK?

Youthful enthusiasm is something that is always coming back. When I was 8 or 9: my cousin, sister and I wanted to convince our parents that we were old enough to camp alone in the forest, a place about 45 minutes walking distance from our house. We constructed our camp near the river and imagined each room of our shed, carrying with us supplies for our dinner. We managed to stay there until 3am in the morning. 

Every time I go home I visit that place, sometimes every day. Unfortunately, the forest started to diminish due to climate change.

"...slowly I learned to value the moment of having the tools in my hands."

WHAT A COLLAGE MEANS TO YOU BESIDE CREATING A COMPOSITION FROM PIECES? 

I used to make art, driven by the result I'd create, but slowly I learned to value the moment of having the tools in my hands. Now I focus more on the process of creating it- that way feels more intuitive and puts less pressure on the outcome.

Adina, our interviewer chimes in: I remember creating collages together. I was taking my time trying to find the best possible outcome of my composition, looking in front of me  I saw Johanna piecing everything together with such dexterity and courage.

You have such freedom in your creativity. HOW? 

Collaging gives me more freedom: with painting for example once you touched the paper it stays there, but with the collage you have the creative freedom of cutting and changing the concept during the process. 

DO YOU sometimes FEEL PRESSUREd when CREATING?

In my perception I was more creative a few years ago. Now, juggling both work and university, there is less time for creativity but at the same time I believe that it is always possible to make time for the things we cherish in life. 

IF THE ROOT OF INSPIRATION COMES FROM FEELINGS, WHAT emotion WOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR YOURS? AND WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU assign IT?

From desire: the desire for creation and changing something in me and our world. 

Green is a color that drives my creation - I don’t know why. I feel like it is a very universal color. Green to me represents feeling secure and grateful, it's a sign of growth.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US?

I used to be very restrictive for respecting the nature around, learning continuously what should I do to sustain the future of everyone. Now I am focusing more on the moment. Being connected with what it is and appreciative of everything that surround us.  

WHAT PART WILL YOU MISS IF THE WORLD WILL NOT BE ANYMORE?

I believe that it is light and color afterwards. Loving and spending time with my family, sitting with them at table having breakfast. Making jokes and laugh.

IMAGINE YOU ARE CREATING A BRACELET AND EACH BEAD IS ACTUALLY A WORD, WHAT WORDS WILL YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR BRACELET?

I would like to put this on my bracelet and show it to everyone: 

"We are human beings and not human doings"