ORDINARY Day Magazine

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

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CONTENT THIS TIME ITʼS NOT ABOUT SNOW FLAK E Veronika Podlasova

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LI ST E NI NG TO PAPER . . .

Marie Doucet

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A PALETTE OF TR ANSFOR MATIONS Julie Orlova

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H O U SE B E COMING A H OM E Ondřej Fučík

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SHE HAS SOME T HING TO SAY.. .

Olena Ivanchenko

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A W ALK IN IND IA Iva Borisova

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I N T H E MI R AGE: MODER N R E FLE CT IONS Sandra Abdulhakova

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LE TʼS TALK AB O U T COCONU TS Nikky Montesclaros

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LET ’S TALK ABOUT CO CONUTS

Nikky Montesclaros

interview Iva Borisova

photos Nikky Montesclaros

editor Sandra Abdulhakova

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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