Inspired in self-isolation (10)
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A Heads Up with Mathieu Cabanes
Usually, lighting designer Mathieu’s schedule is hectic, realizing many opera, theater and concert projects. Currently, he should have been touring all the major cities in China on Robert Wilson’s production of the Jungle Book, followed by a stint in Rome in July working on an artistic collaboration for assorted sporting events with fellow French LD Frédéric Fayard from Concept K. Instead … he’s Inspired in Isolation.
Robe: Where are you right now?
Mathieu: I am currently in (beautiful) Montpellier in the south of France.
Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?
Mathieu: I am trying to see the positive side of it! I spend more time with my family ... And I have had to create a special office at home to continue working and producing new designs. It’s been very funny to see a child's reaction then controlling a GMA2!
Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do whilst in isolation?
Mathieu: Probably lighting up my house or giving my neighbours a little concert! I think that culture and music have the power to give people hope and joy. This is a chance to offer the people around us a part of what we share in our daily life.
Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?
Mathieu: As I said before, it is important to keep social ties during this time of confinement. I take care of my family but also of our elderly neighbours...
I also strive to maintain regular contact with my assistants and my artistic collaborators. I find it necessary to keep in touch so that no one around me gets trapped in a situation of loneliness.
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Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?
Mathieu: Of course! In this period, we are much more sensitive, and I find it encouraging to see the artistic and creative performances by people around the world.
I was particularly touched by a performance by Bob Wilson on Arte (Franco-German free-to-air TV network that promotes cultural programming). Having already worked with this great artist, I felt strong emotions when I saw him in this armchair performing his own text!
Theatre is an art that conveys emotions and seeing a great director like Bob Wilson reveal his personal feelings is quite unique and touching.
Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video / Games / music?
Mathieu: So, the film I enjoyed watching again in this period was "Le Corniaud" by Gérard Oury (1965 French, Italian and Spanish comedy crime film). It is a great French classic starring Louis de Funès, an icon of comic cinema! Sharing this moment with my family was truly extraordinary! I have liked this film since I was a child.
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Robe: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when we are through this crisis?
Mathieu: Go out and meet the people I love and I have not seen since the beginning of the crisis! And share a glass of pastis with my friends on a beach in the south of France.
Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?
Mathieu: I would like to quote a few words from William Shakespeare, "All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players" – we need to leave the past behind and build the world of tomorrow together!
A Heads Up with Vincent Kleenworth
Vincent works for event services specialist arentis Veranstaltungstechnik GmbH and is responsible for creating and implementing lighting designs. In addition to his speciality area of concerts and touring, he is also involved with arentis this year for some smaller events and corporates as well as the coordination and development of conferencing technology.
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Robe: Where are you right now?
Vincent: I spend most of my time at home in Hamburg. Apart from that, I regularly visit my family.
Robe: What are you doing to fill the time whilst isolating / on lockdown?
Vincent: A lot of self-development and also training for our apprentices. Apart from that I do sports and relax.
Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do in isolation?
Vincent: I've created many new designs over the years but by far the most creative thing I've now set up is my SmartHome … so I can control it with Voice Commands from my grandMA2!
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Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis?
Vincent: At the beginning of the whole crisis, I supplied my parents with food, because they did not want to leave the house.
Robe: Has anyone inspired you since this started?
Vincent: Many people and groups, for example the unity we all felt between the different companies in Hamburg during the Night of Light event.
I am also inspired by my father, who always shows that there is a solution for every problem!
Robe: Favourite book / movie / Netflix series / viral video
Vincent: My current favourite novel is: “And this damn life just goes on” by Hansjörg Nessensohn. I will definitely read it a third time!
Robe: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when we are through it?
Vincent: Have a barbecue with my friends and colleagues and drink a beer or two. Just the things that are missing, which were otherwise so obvious!
Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?
Vincent: What I have learned especially during this time is: Be grateful for the little things in life, no matter how natural they seem. And most of all, no matter what reason you do it for, it's totally okay to take some time off and concentrate on yourself.
A Heads Up with Jonny Gaskell
UK-based Jonny has been a lighting professional for over 25 years, working all over the world as a designer for the music, events, and fashion industries. Known for his ambitious creativity and love of the mirror ball – a classic Gaskell design trademark – right now Jonny should have been on tour with David Gray and Groove Armada … instead, he is inspired in self-isolation …
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Robe: Where are you right now?
Jonny: At home in Hove, East Sussex, UK – on the south coast.
Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?
Jonny: Home schooling the kids, cycling, taking walks on the (amazing) South Downs with the family and the dog.
Robe: What is the most creative thing you can do whilst in isolation?
Jonny: I’m working on drawings / programming for upcoming shows that may or may not happen, but just trying to get ahead of the game for when everything starts up again.
Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?
Jonny: Just the family and pets.
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Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?
Jonny: A friend of ours is a nurse at the main hospital in Brighton, where she has been redeployed to the Covid19 ward working 13-hour shifts with PPE running out etc. She has to stay in a flat with other nurses so that she doesn't risk spreading the virus to her immediate family which must be incredibly tough.
She is awe-inspiring and truly humbling. Well done Sylvia x
Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video / Games / music?
Jonny: Ozark season 3, (starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney as a married couple running a complex money-laundering operation in the Ozarks – a region spanning northern Arkansas and the southern half of Missouri in the US); Unorthodox (A woman flees an arranged marriage in Brooklyn to start a new life abroad) and Tiger King (Murder, Mayhem and Madness in this blockbusting American true crime documentary) have all filled up a bit a time!
Robe: What is the first thing you would like to do when we are through this crisis?
Jonny: Have all our friends over for a BBQ and a large drink!
Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you would like to say?
Jonny: Stay safe out there guys and look after each other! Hopefully, we will all be back doing what we love soon x