#026 — Get inspired
Unleash your creativity: from the underground bible of jazz to captivating films, breathtaking travel destinations, and more!
Welcome back!
It’s high time to ignite your imagination and let your creativity soar, because in this issue we’ve curated a collection of inspiring stories and experiences that will transport you to new realms of both personal and cultural growth.
From the underground world of jazz’s most iconic book to the emotionally charged film “Skin of Water”, we’ll explore the power of art to move and transform us. We’ll also embark on a stunning visual journey through Japan, courtesy of Teo Crawford’s captivating film photography, and discover 52 breathtaking destinations that await your exploration in 2024.
But that’s not all – we’ve got plenty more in store to inspire you and embrace the beauty of the world around you. Are you ready to get inspired?
Sit back and get inspired
✻ Since the mid-1970s, almost every jazz musician has owned the Real Book, a peach-covered, black-bound collection of meticulously handwritten sheet music for hundreds of jazz standards. Despite its homemade look, this iconic book was illegal, as it was entirely unlicensed and self-published without permission from music publishers or composers. In the 1970s, you couldn’t buy it at a bookstore; instead, it was duplicated at photocopy shops and sold covertly on street corners, from car trunks, and under the table in music stores. The Real Book’s journey to becoming the underground bible of jazz is a story of how an improvisational art form like jazz got codified into something teachable from a book.
Listen to the beautifully done podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can find the full story here.
✻ Iranian artist Somayeh, in her film “Skin of Water” (پوست آب), seeks to capture the multitude of emotions associated with loss. In an interview with Joe Zadeh, she explains how she tackled such complex themes in just eight minutes and how she hopes to draw the viewer in with beautiful visuals so they can confront this difficult subject directly.
I think a lot of my work is a representation of beauty and pain. I like to aesthetically seduce an audience and then punch them.
✻ Oh, this one is a real treat, we promise! Check out this amazing video containing footage from the various film photography trips of Teo Crawford to Japan. You just have to see it for yourself and experience the pure beauty and vibe of multiple Japanese cities, from Kamakura through Tokyo (of course) to other cities like Kyoto and Osaka. The whole video is 2 hours long, but if you really want to get inspired or just calm yourself down, it’s an absolute no brainer! Must watch!
And if you want even more content like this, go back to our issue #018 — Embracing Japanese legacy, where we explored all things Japan ➤
✻ This issue wouldn’t be complete without some more travel inspiration. So there you go: enjoy this interactive article highlighting 52 places worth visiting in 2024, along with representative photos from those locations to get a sneak peek. Some of those are really creative and unexpected. And before you ask – yes, Japan is also included on that list…
Check out the full list and discover your next travel destination ➤
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And that's not all!
✻ The world's most iconic race – the Monaco Grand Prix – is ahead. Check out the onboard footage of Ayrton Senna from the days when F1 drivers were realistically risking their lives ➤
✻ We love it when cars are combined with art. The latest example is BMW and their new ArtCar, which is based on the BMW M Hybrid V8 racing model ➤
✻ Check out this video of a person using a magnetic window cleaner. Isn’t this the ideal tool for high rise buildings? ➤
We all need a purpose for a happy life. But how do we find it? Find out in the previous issue of our newsletter!
As we’re on this journey together, it would be an honor to hear what you think about our issues and about things that inspire you. Feel free to suggest topics or share stories you’re interested in!
“90% of life is confidence and the thing about confidence is no one knows if it’s real or not.”
– Maddy from the Euphoria TV series
Thank you for being with us. If we can bring a smile to your face and a sense of relaxation to your body, please follow us on your favorite social media platforms, where we will be sharing more inspirational and interesting content, collected especially for you on:
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