T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
cover photo: Sandra Abdulhakova
T R A N S F O R M AT I O N vol #2
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the ORDINARY DAY team, this is your captain speaking… First, I’d like to welcome you aboard our second issue, Transformation. We will be going on an adventure in different corners and time zones of the world, each with their own unique definition of transformation. So sit tight and feel free to grab a fresh drink while you read through our magazine, starting with a trip way east, under the cool shade of the palm trees in the Philippines. A quick stop in Prague follows where we learn how to listen to paper, then we spend a few hours in the Arabian sun. A few ladies from Prague’s Femme Palette share their experiences with us before we embark on a photo-journey to India, then it’s back to Prague for a quick layover where we learn how a house can turn into a home. Finally, our wings take us to Ukraine and then we conclude our trip in Antarctica. Assisting us in today’s journey are Nikky Montesclaros, Marie Doucet, Julie Orlowa, Ondřej Fučík, Olena Ivanchenko, and Veronika Podlasova. From your captain and Ordinary’s cabin crew, Sandra Abdulhakova and Jana Krchová, we hope you enjoy your trip with us today! If there is anything we can do to make your journey more enjoyable, please feel free to reach out to us on instagram @ordinaryday_mag or via email hello@ordinarymag.com Happy reading! Iva Borisova
TIMEZONES
-12
-11
-10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
GMT
+1
+2
CONTENT THIS TIME ITʼS NOT ABOUT SNOW FLAK E Veronika Podlasova
page 109
LI ST E NI NG TO PAPER . . . Marie Doucet
page 25
A PALETTE OF TR ANSFOR MATIONS Julie Orlova
page 59
H O U SE B E COMING A H OM E Ondřej Fučík
page 63
+3
+4
+5
+5.5
+6
+7
+8
SHE HAS SOME T HING TO SAY.. . Olena Ivanchenko
page 93
A W ALK IN IND IA Iva Borisova
page 79
I N T H E MI R AGE: MODER N R E FLE CT IONS Sandra Abdulhakova
page 77
LE TʼS TALK AB O U T COCONU TS Nikky Montesclaros
page 7
+9
+10
+11
+12
G MT +8
LET ’S TALK ABOUT CO CONUTS
Nikky Montesclaros
interview Iva Borisova
photos Nikky Montesclaros
editor Sandra Abdulhakova
11 |
Small in size, but big in adventure. Nikky is a graphic designer with a passion to visualize all the crazy ideas she has in her head. She grew up near the ocean in the Philippines and has been called Mowgli, monkey and jungle girl on more than one occasion. Recently, she has earned herself the title of ‘coconut girl’ due to the project she has been working on. It addresses coconut waste by tackling its relevance to sustainability awareness and managing to keep the beauty that remains in this world.
ORDIN A RY
23 |
ORDIN A RY
G TM +2
LIST E NING TO PAPE R...
Marie Doucet
interview Jana Krchovรก
photos Iva Borisova Marie Doucet
Marie is a designer, a PhD student and a lecturer, and in her story, we learn how she listens to paper before transforming it into a 3D object. Our conversation starts with a simple set of questions but it quickly takes on a different shape, discussing the purpose and ethics of design as well as the key moments that can make designers appreciate their own work, finding your path, letting go and allowing oneself the feeling of achievement.
29 |
Marie, you have a wide scope of engagements
but in the Design Principles class, there is more
– how does your ordinary day look like, and how
space for experimentation. At the Faculty of
do you stay organised? What makes an ordinary
Architecture at the Czech Technical University, I am
day extraordinary?
teaching product design. I am trying to start a new
I divide my time between teaching, studying and
class on user centered design. Next year, FA ČVUT
architectural work. I have a timesheet which
is opening an English language Master’s program
I use for keeping track of how many hours I spend
focused on Design.
working on something — just to know, but I don’t do much time-blocking. I am trying to keep
What are your associations with the word
a schedule of one or two evenings a week for my
transformation?
studies. But to go back to your question what
For me, it is going from something in the past to
makes my day extraordinary: I would say those
something new and not knowing what is next, what
are the moments when I can rest, I can have tea,
is coming. That can be scary because it happens
do nothing for a little while. When I have time
that you cannot even control it. So accepting what
to do something that I really like, like folding or
is coming, feeling okay and saying: “let’s see what
trying something in my sketchbook, those are the
is ahead of me.” I guess just taking the risk a little
moments that make me feel good during any day.
bit. At the same time going with the flow and letting things happen. I realised I changed a lot
What do you study?
since childhood. It is changing and not changing at
I am studying design – a PhD at FUD UJEP in Ústí
the same time. Trying to be more open to people
nad Labem. I am interested in user research and
like during this interview! Getting to know oneself
how services can be co-created with their users.
everyday – it is not automatic. I have long been
User experience analysis has been used mostly
on auto-pilot, let’s say – doing my thing, ordinary
in UX, but what I am trying right now is to find
day to day routine, getting things done. Having
out how it could also be used in product design
a very long to do list, which I still have. But back
because that is what I teach.
then, a time came when I asked myself: “is this the thing I want to do and is it the way I want to
So you are teaching product design now?
keep doing it?”
Well, at Prague College I teach Graphic Design,
ORDIN A RY
And this is how the paper installations come
and then “listening” to the paper or the material
to the world?
and see what is coming out.
I started a long time ago because I worked with
33 |
paper in my Master’s degree. I experimented with
Transforming a sheet of paper and seeing what
paper even before that; at home with my mother
you can do from it, something that comes
and grandmother, we made origami objects.
naturally during childplay…
Two years ago, my former colleagues from Eva
That’s what I like about folding paper and other
Jiřičná’s office (esté architekti) asked me to do
materials, you have the sheet material, the flat
some installations for their project. They were
“thing” in a standard format and you can cut it and
renovating restaurants and I created installations
then it becomes 3-dimensional and something
for several of them.
that becomes sweet. What I am trying right now is to add movement to it. I can show you here — it is
You work with space…
a rectangle that is cut and there is going to be a
Yes, I work with the space. We discuss what is
crystal ball attached to it to add flare...
needed, what is possible. My colleagues are also creatives so they have strong ideas, very
It reminds me of a dune.
minimalistic, white. I like colour, but I agree with
I was thinking of a bird’s wing. The architect
them on this. I then go on to prepare lots of
showed me pictures of clouds for inspiration so
models and they choose a couple of them. I work
I took it from there.
small first and then full scale, to see how they work in the space.
I imagine paper has its transformational limits, is that correct?
And the process? Do you have an idea in your
Well it is hard to break paper, but it does crease.
head and shape the material to match your idea
What is great about paper is that is an inexpensive
or are you more inspired by the material itself?
and easily available material, you can work with it
It mostly comes from the material, seeing what
at home, you don’t need special tools. All that gives
comes and just playing to create some shapes
you liberty in the creation process. But I started to
I have in my mind or something I want to try. I try
need more space. [Marie laughs] I love paper but
in small and then try to make it bigger. Just as I like
I am also trying other materials — how the objects
to work at my paper workshops — playing a bit first
would look like in metal, for instance.
ORDIN A RY
G MT +4
I N T HE MIR AGE : MODER N REFLECTIONS
Sandra Abdulhakova
story & photos Sandra Abdulhakova
editor Jana Krchovรก
Nestled between the Arabian sea and the Red Sea is the 2.33 million km² wide and vast Arabian desert, where one handful of sand carries over two million tiny fragments of coral, shell, limestone and organic matter. All of them are things that once made up great civilisations, towns, trade and stories, that can only be examined under a microscope now. However, a little closer to the East and about two hours away from a small town in the UAE called Al Ain, hundreds of these stories can be found in the form of stone beehive-shaped structures called the Jebel Hafeet tombs. These burial artifacts date back to the Bronze Age where they served as structures that honoured the dead. Now, they serve as an archeological site, a spot for curious individuals to set out to find. There are no signs along the highway that lead to the tombs and despite the available information through touristic websites, they are not very easy to find and the rocky road that leads to them is not one for inexperienced drivers. ORDIN A RY
The trip begins on a highway somewhere close
trust in the two after living in a heavily technology
to the Oman-United Arab Emirates borders but
reliant world. Of course, Google Maps and GPS
not quite there yet. The asphalt road is smooth
location are still there just in case, but without any
and the one hour trip from Al Ain’s city center is
actual coordinates or route to follow, this trip takes
pleasant, especially from the backseat of a four
an Indiana Jones-esque turn.
by four. Somewhere way past the city’s cement factory, its industrial ’Sinaiyah’ district, and storage
Naturally, I look for landmarks to ordinate and my
warehouses, the Jebel Hafeet mountains come
first marker is an upturned tree that seems to have
into view. They are rocky and they extend past the
settled into this position, followed by a multitude
borders between the UAE and Oman, borders that
of small patches of — “Are these watermelons?”
had only appeared recently, some 14 years ago. At first, the road looks endless and empty. I am told
They’re not. They’re bitter apples, except that they
that it often serves as a runway for teenage drivers
don’t look like apples, and despite their shape, they
to practice drifting, somewhat dangerous and
don’t taste like watermelons. Later, I find out that
definitely thrilling car tricks, but this trip quickly
they’re called colocynth, a type of desert gourd
takes a different route. We go off road into what
that grows in small patches, and once dry, can
used to be a farming campsite, and even with the
serve as a very natural rattle toy. I take two for the
availability of GPS, it becomes apparent that the
cats back home since they like round things that
sun and the mountains become our guides. Right
make lots of noises.
off the bat, it is a strange feeling to put so much
47 | colocynth patches
G MT +2 ,1
A PALE T TE OF T R ANSFOR MATIONS
Conversations about personal transformation
interview & words Julie Orlowa
editor Sandra Abdulhakova
How often do we reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves, “what journey am I on? Have I ever undergone a transformation? Am I the same person I’ve always been?” The answers can be insightful, especially if we share them with likeminded people. We had a chance to talk to some of the wonderful women of Prague’s international female community, Femme Palette to find out how they define transformation and to share their personal stories here.
G MT +2 , 2
WH E N A HOUSE BECOMES A HOME
Ondřej Fučík
interview Sandra Abdulhakova
photos
Ondřej Fučík editor Jana Krchová
A biking distance from the bustling streets of Prague lies a 19th century house that ‘maker’ Ondřej Fučík and his family crafted into their home. When he says, ‘I rebuilt the interiors,’ he does not mean, ‘I hired people to do it,’ he means he did it himself. Ondřej speaks on the process of making this change and reflects on the decisions he made during the renovation. Should there be a step by step manual that guides people through house renovations and can they actually help you transform your house into a home?
...destroyed?
what to do. This period really helped us change
Let’s say far from being finished. The previous
our priorities, confirmed what we already felt was
owner said that when they bought the house
more important for us, doing things the way they
in 1989, there was new plumbing installed. Our
make us happy.
plumber said: “Oh yeah, from 1989 till 1992 these plastic pipes were used that never lasted for more
That’s why I don’t like interior design magazines.
than 15 years.” But we bought it 20 years later!
There’s always someone who is saying how they did
They were super fragile, I tested them with a tiny
it and what they bought. I read it and it makes me
hammer and they crumbled… They had to go.
anxious: what should I do? Should I do it this way? Well maybe not, maybe I should do it a different
What happened in June when we started with the
way. We realized after a certain period following
renovation was that we had to move to my wife’s
all these leads that we don’t really want to see it
parents’. And we did not move into our house
anymore. It’s not that these people do it the wrong
before March. So in the end it took me eight
way but it shifts your focus – like following ten
months to make the house (almost) ready. When
thousand people on social media – away from
we moved in, we didn’t even have a sink in the
what you want...
kitchen so we washed dishes in the bathroom. It wasn’t quite ready but I guess we just badly wanted
I think it works for us, I’m not saying other families
to move in. To live on our own again.
would be happy in this configuration. I realize I always wanted to have stuff finished and ideal, like
When we moved in, there were still a lot of things
having my car in the right order for instance. But
to be done, but then the whole house needs to be
it never happened because I always had cars that
finished, and it will never be finished.
needed something and they drove fine but there was always something...
Making a home... I don’t think you ever finish... I just want to make myself clear. I don’t want to
I felt like at a certain moment in my life everything
make it sound like it was some ingenious plan.
is going to be…
Everything was very natural and we were lucky in a way but at the same time, we sort of knew
ORDIN A RY
G MT +5 , 5
A WALK IN INDIA
Iva Borisova
photos & words Iva Borisova
editor Sandra Abdulhakova
India: colours, people, shades, emotions, stories, urban rumble , car horns, nature, sensations, flavours, and contrasts. India is a journey of experiences and challenges. In this photo series, I want to make you feel it, the timelessness in contrast with the crowd, the dynamic, and the noise from the vehicles, the experience to be in the very moment of being surrounded by hundreds of people. In a place where it feels like time runs tenfold. Coming back to the photos taken there, it feels surrealistic looking at the snapshots capturing quiet moments, the stillness of the people, stolen moments and a reality that is the complete opposite of that which appears in these photos. You see eyes which speak to you, you sense a plethora of flavours and colorful experiences, and you shake hands with the dynamic speed of India’s ordinary day to create your own stories through these images. Let the text guide you, but allow yourself to transform these narratives with your own perception.
85 |
st reet m a rket o f O l d D e l h i man selling apples on the most crowded street
a lady in the crowd
ORDIN A RY
G MT +3
SHE HA S SOME T HING TO SAY ...
Olena Ivanchenko
interview & photos Iva Borisova
editor Jana Krchovรก
Curious, motivated and inspired are the three words Olena chooses to describe herself. Born in Ukraine, she first moved to Prague for her bachelor studies and then stayed to work as a graphic designer and illustrator at Butterflies & Hurricanes. She tells us she draws the inspiration to transform her messages into art from nature, people and different things in her everyday life. As a person who has recently committed herself to reducing waste, using resources responsibly, and reusing everything she already has, Olena is constantly investing her effort into saving the environment for us and the generations to come. She recently invited Ordinary into her home to talk about her creative process and the stories behind her most recent project, Finding Freedom.
107 |
the making of the bird tiles
Tell us more about your experience and the process. Everything started with sketches of shape of birds, and I made the first drafts of them from clay. The next stage was to create a mold from them using silicone. When it was done, I could make more birds easier. So, while making the tiles, I was making sketches of future patterns on them, as I wanted each of them to look different, to symbolise the uniqueness of each person. The next step was to paint them all and place them in the city. The first project was made in Prague, so the second, I placed in Kyiv, as its my hometown and I feel like Ukrainians are very sensitive to the topic of freedom and free will. Two revolutions, that happened within ten years, when the people felt injustice and infringement of their rights were serious arguments in favor of this decision. Also, it has a link to the idea of immigration from the country.
ORDIN A RY
G MT -3
T H IS TIME IT ’S NOT ABOUT SNOWFLAKE
Veronika Podlasová
words Ula Jankowska
photos Veronika Podlasová Martin Šiblič
editor Sandra Abdulhakova
This time it’s about her, about Veronika Podlasová, also known as Gibi The Artist or just Gibi. Veronika has developed a narrative for discussing climate change and melting glaciers. Her story is about human influence, starting with snowflakes that travel to Nelson Island in Antarctica only to find it polluted. In her own words, she writes: “I will be one of six volunteers whose aim is to clean up pollution from the ocean of this snowy land. My journey will be documented and turned into an art installation. The following exhibition in Prague will visualize the fading beauty of continental glaciers. Illustrating this journey in an artistic form will open a scientific door to the general public. The project will help the public to understand the issues of both ocean pollution and glacier melt by stressing how climate change is changing our world, and in turn, awakening interest and action around the issue.” This is why Veronika went to Antarctica as a volunteer to clean up man’s rubbish washed there by the sea.
113 |
one of Gibi’s passions: rock climbing
When Veronica was little, she was afraid of water. But seeing water in the solid form of an iceberg changed her feelings about it completely, and she fell in love with these cold beauties. She started drawing and painting them in watercolors, specifically using melted glacier water, and gathered as much information about them as she could. She also began sharing her research about climate change, the melting of ice covers and the impact people have on the environment, and in turn, what we can do to shorten our carbon footprint, reduce the amount of rubbish we produce, and live more sustainably. She exhibited this work in The Bowls, a bistro in Prague where she works as a chef, creating delicious bowls of fresh, balanced and locally sourced healthy ingredients with a pinch of exotic flavours. Veronica has a few nicknames: as an artist she is known as Gibi, but as a chef and in personal life – ‘Gibi No Waste’. It is one thing when you do everything to make your life as sustainable as possible, but when you run a kitchen and feed around a thousand people per week using this philosophy, it is taking things one step further. Veronica runs the Bowl’s kitchen with a minimum waste approach, and in the gastronomy business, this is rare. The way she plans cooking and serving dishes is based not only on tastes and looks, but also on being sustainable. When she leaves the kitchen with an empty fridge at the end of her shift, she knows she has done everything right. The vegetable leftovers get turned into soup and the rest go to the bellies of dogs, cats and chickens. When there is no waste, she smiles to herself, it’s a succesful shift.
ORDIN A RY
ORDINARY TEAM Iva Borisova Editor in Chief | Design
Sandra Abdulhakova Concept, interviews, writing & editing
Jana Krchova Interviews & editing
CONTRIBUTORS
words
Alana Maria Carazon
Sandra Abdulhakova
Ekaterina Buchneva
Iva Borisova
Marie Doucet
Ula Jankowska
Michelle Robins
Jana Krchova
Ondřej Fučík
Julie Orlowa
Olena Ivanchenko Ula Jankowska Nikky Montesclaros Jana M. Julie Orlowa Veronika Podlasova
photos Sandra Abdulhakova
Iva Borisova Ondřej Fučík Nikky Montesclaros Veronika Podlasová Martin Šiblič
follow ORDINARY at:
PRINT Print house: TYGR TISK
facebook – Ordinary_mag instagram – ordinary_mag contact us: hi@ordinarydaymag.com
ORDIN A RY
133 |