ONE: Daniela Daaniela

 Daniela Daaniela

A challenge I overcame: To say goodbye in the airport, and to not die in the attempt

A dream for my future: To be the contemporary version of the Pied Piper, playing the banjo.

A hope for the global community: That we make love every day.

Wonderful, beautiful, crazy, delightful Dani, poet and artist through and through...imagination on wings...the most amazing companion to roam the streets of Buenos Aires with!  Dani and I were perfect  side-kicks for one another in our time-lapse street-interventions around the city, both equally keen to chatter and natter away to the fascinating characters we kept crossing paths with along our mission!

From the first night at Pacha-mamma I realised what luck I had in having Dani as a friend, with her company I was priviledged to have a glimpse into the underground and collective art scene of BsAs... yay thanks Dani!  :-)

(Left: graffiti sticker photographed on the subte) 

What to do in the case of EXISTENTIAL CRISIS: 1. Stay calm. 2. Avoid Self-help books 3. Return to being a foreigner 4. Ask yourself who you are. 5. Question your motivations. 6. Laugh about what obsesses you. 7. Wait for Godot. 8. And remember: you don't matter to anyone!

(Right) Follow your impulses.

Originally from "that river near the bridge on Jupiter" via Colombia, Dani is in Buenos Aires studying Fine Art split between two public universities, one providing theoretical and conceptual lectures, the other offering skill-based workshops.  Hugely switched on for her 21years, it was a pleasure to bat ideas to and fro with Dani, and it was inspiring to hear her recite poetry, both hers or other folk's, either reading or, even more impressively, remembered at full length whilst walking in the street, or created on the spot and spat with rhythm, meaning, and electricity at bus stops and basketball courts!

In looking up UK's Kate Tempest's amazing poetry to share with Dani we came across this brilliant video of her spitting lyrics celebrating hip hop (here Tempest talks in specific reference to hip hop but I reckon widen it spoken word art in general... or any poetry, including the poetry of image making too maybe...)  I got goose-pimples watching this feeling the passion that Tempest talks about her work and how artists are channels for communications greater than them as an individual....profound words...(massive respect Kate, and thanks - you're seriously inspiring!  :-) )

As well as having a head and heart full of imagery and explosive creativity (that this metro wall turns out to be an apt illustration of!) Dani is also full of dreams and plans for a future full of projects and travels, so Dani, here's wishing you huge luck and joy in all your adventures.  Huge love and thank you for sharing such a wicked week in Buenos Aires.... a fortnight on and I'm still reeling from it! :-)

Big love Dani, 

muchísimo gracias por un buenísimo tiempo...

Suerte en todos tus proyectos, locuras, aventuras y viajes,

u abrazo fuerte y un baile cachete-a-cachete!

:-)