Recently I stumbled across a stunning photographic series by Anja Humljan, titled Urban Yoga. In this series she looks at how the human body can manipulate itself into the most beautiful forms and if you place these forms against the harsh cold background of the city, then you have something truly spectacular.
I caught up with Anja on her work and her latest book, Urban Yoga, which is all about this incredible series.
What do you love about photography and your job?
I
am exploring the magic of space that centres on human experience, inspiring
others to look at the world around them in a more meaningful way: re-examining
how their bodies inhabit urban places, breathing new human-oriented life into
the efficient and industrial world of urban architecture and design. The role of an architect is not only to build
structures, but also to build bridges between our respected field and the
citizens who use our structures on a daily basis. I am doing this with The
Urban Yoga. It is not yoga as such, but an architectural experiment, a movement
changing the way we experience everyday situations if we focus on our body and
senses. It is inviting citizens to smell, touch, taste, see and hear in order
to experience, how does their city feel. Thus, it is challenging architects to
design architecture that is not only visually and technologically stunning, but
is designed with humans in mind. Therefore, the word yoga in the name of the project:
Just like in yoga, where your body becomes your special space, every urban
environment designed with humans in mind can become a source of positive
energy, a place of self-reflection and self-realization. A place that brings
you back to the world and towards your own sense of being.
Image: New York - Jaka Vinsek
What was you're inspiration behind your Urban Yoga series.
As a student of architecture in Slovenia, who was
intensely involved with yoga and dance, I found it difficult to design space
based merely on geometry and function. I felt that focusing on our body
and multi-sensory experience could open up new possibilities in architectural
design. So, I went to Denmark to study digital design for one semester. Our
project, interactive pavilion NoRA, was built at Venice Architecture
Biennial. At the age of 23 I was the youngest Slovenian architect having a
project exhibited at prestigious event. I began to branch out further,
exploring fields that at first glance had no connection with architecture, such
as the dynamic relationship between the individual and space through modern
dance and ballet. I spent months of study breaks in New York taking master
classes with dance companies, such as Alvin Ailey and Complexions and studying
yoga with Jivamukti Yoga New York. Moreover, learning sound
recording, video and photography in Australia for a year, working as voice
actor and radio host, instilled in me a subtle sense for the sonic qualities of
our contemporary environment.
As a yoga teacher of thirteen years I based my practice on the
notion that our guiding principle is to live in harmony with ourselves as well
as with the environment – any environment. However,
people are increasingly convinced that an urban environment limits our freedom,
causes stress and keeps us constantly alert. Thus,
urban landscape should not be regarded as something, which disturbs our
harmony, but rather as a vital element that contributes to it. Architecture
with all its constructive fields makes up the urban landscape – the city, the
inescapable environment of contemporary humans. This is where The Urban Yoga
steps in.
I created a laboratory for experimental
architecture called Space Potential, The Urban Yoga being one of the projects.
Its goal is to ensure that architecture is designed not only to appear visually
and technologically stunning, but is designed with humans in mind. Architecture
that will continue not
only to provide the world with buildings, which satisfy merely the functional
demands, but to express fundamental truths of the human condition, including
the dreams, imagination, and desires not just of the designers themselves, but
also of those who use these structures on a daily basis.
Image: New York - Jaka Vinsek
How do you think
photography has developed in the last decade?
It has become more accessible to everyone. Via smartphones and apps,
it has become a big part of individual’s every day life, enabling one to
document personal life and express one’s immediate feelings. However, I have
been never drawn to this zeitgeist, but I am happy for those whose life it has
enriched.
Image: Primoz Lukezic
Who are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the gratefulness of
being brought up to this world; I am inspired by nature, cities, human
relationships, by all the processes and things that we have and experience in
our every day life. I am inspired by all the possibilities, opportunities and
surprises. As for people I am inspired by all those who have high moral values,
who are loyal, kind, authentic, focused and furthermore, who are spicing it all
up with humor and positive attitude. Having quite a few people with such
virtues in my personal life makes me utmost happy and humble at the same time.
Image: New York - Jaka Vinsek
If you could live in another city where would it be and why?
New York for the next couple of years
and then Paris. Due to its high pace and immense diversity New York is a great
place to grow within you profession, to evolve as an entrepreneur, artist,
designer, architect. Moreover, I like how it seems as if the whole city
functions as a living room, where everyone meet and interact. As for Paris: I love
it. Compared to New York it is calmer and more sophisticated, but still very
diverse and only two hours away from Ljubljana. My charming hometown, family
and friends.
Image Courtesy of Borut Peterlin
What five items can you not live without?
I
am rather adaptive and find my ways in all kinds of situations devoid of
various items, even computers and phones, which I use on a daily basis. At the
end of the day, however, what I cannot imagine to live without is creativity,
dreams, desires, hope, friendship and virtue.
Buy this incredible series in her latest book: pre order here...
www.theurbanyoga.com
STALK THE STALKER ON
ReplyDelete"As the New Year is fresh in mind, the dominant question in mind of everyone is, “How will you make 2015 a great year?”
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Oh my gosh this is amazing
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