Going Back to Basics — Using Time-Honored Concepts to Shape the Contemporary Framework

In the face of a world that is faster and crazier than ever, we are coming to understand that our needs are shifting. We crave a simpler way of life and are increasingly going back to basics. We are starting to appreciate that less is more, that going deeper takes us further, and that quality lasts longer. Meanwhile, we do not want to limit ourselves to a single way of living nor are we looking to live in the past. Instead, we seek novelty and are wanting to make our own extraordinary experience; we want the freedom to choose and we will settle for no less than exceptional experiences and connections. So how can we inspire ourselves from the past to meet our contemporary needs?

At VAWAA (Vacation With An Artist), we believe in looking back at time-honored concepts, traditions, and practices to help shape and influence the contemporary framework. Learning from a master, creating and making things with hands, and leading with curiosity are concepts that have stood the test of time. Naturally, this is where the VAWAA mission all begins.

3 Time-Honored Concepts to Shape the Contemporary Framework:

1. Learn from Masters.

Emilia and George learning leather shadow puppet making with master puppeteer, Mohd Jufry in Penang, Malaysia.

Learning is a continuous act— not only at a personal level, but at an inter-generational and multi-cultural level. Growth is not about reinventing the wheel. It is about nurturing past and current knowledge in order to shape the future. For centuries, apprenticeships were the key to passing down knowledge. While they remain integral in many European countries, we have lost the art of apprenticeship and replaced it with a need to prove ourselves in the face of innovation and progress. Yet masters are the guides who can lead the way and help us navigate the world. Beyond their success and skillset, perhaps it is how they got there that is most inspiring. Think about their process, the human virtues of discipline, patience, and persistence they have learned to master. It relieves us from the pressure that success must happen overnight and instead, helps us redirect our focus on the process. By their side, we get to find and nourish our inner gems in a safe space, where failure equals learning. More importantly, we get to experiment and build upon their precious knowledge to move our world forward.

2. Create Things.

The core to progress and the root to a contemporary world goes back to creating things. Sir Ken Robinson, British author and creativity expert, says “creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value” in all areas of human life, science, arts, mathematics, technology, politics, business— you name it. So when everything around us moves by the click of a mouse, it becomes integral to make space for slowing down and creating. He explains “creativity is about putting your imagination to work.” At VAWAA, we focus on craft as applied imagination. The process of making helps cultivate and refine our creative powers. It allows us to rediscover our senses and childlike thinking that are so often numbed and repressed by the speed of technology. Something magical happens when our fingers sink into the moist clay, when our feet slide across the floor, when we blow off the sawdust from freshly cut wood. It makes us better problem solvers as the creative process involves making new connections, metaphors, critical judgements, testing, refining and focusing. And lastly, creativity lets us give the world a little bit of us.

3. Lead with Curiosity.

Janine learning percussion with master percussionist and producer Alvaro in Barcelona, Spain.

They say curiosity is the mother of invention. In fact, curiosity leads to creativity. Humans are curious by nature. So when everything is predictable, there is no room for spontaneity, discovery, nor making something our own. And that is why no two VAWAAs are the same and why we let each studio session unfold organically between the artist and the guest. There are no set itineraries, no rules on what you can learn, things you can explore. Forget about how “good” or “artistic” you are or how much time you have spent in a studio before. We create a safe and personalized space by curating artists who are masters of their craft; not only are they willing to teach and guide you one-on-one, they are also happy to let you experiment and lead with curiosity. While you also get the personal support of a VAWAA guest experience coordinator throughout the trip— before, during and after— we aim to keep a sense of surprise so as to nurture your adventurous spirit with an exceptional experience that is both curated and flexible.

As adventurers, love-seeking humans and a small and passionate team behind VAWAA, we are always seeking richness and joy in these basics. This is our modern luxury....and 2020 will be no different. This coming year, we shall deepen our mission and purpose by honoring these three concepts to keep shaping the contemporary framework.

How are you planning to learn from masters, create things, and lead with curiosity in 2020? Get in touch with us, we will love to support you.

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