Open space for creativity with ‘Open Brain’
Open Brain is a bi-weekly event that allows like minded souls to share their talent andvaried art forms, skill or ideas.
The architects of this project are poets Ohan Mark and Michael Ketigian who began hosting informal gatherings in their cramped apartment in New York back in 2013.
Ohan worked as an economist and Michael as a start-up operation manager, they had a small following which later grew to large crowds. Initially in their apartment and at various venues round the city while having large meet ups in the park during summer time.
“We wanted to create something that wasn’t just about poetry. Most people come ready to share and other are just open vessels.” Michael said
A third friend who was the founding member of Open Brain in New York subsequently moved to San Francisco and started another branch. While a further friend moved to Tokyo started another branch that has now taken off on its own. She then move back to South Africa and started another branch.
In October Ohan moved to Colombo and by February Michael had followed. “We always talked about moving away to live in another country, once our friend had given us a tour of Sri Lanka we loved it and were hooked on the established art scene” Ohan said.
In November Ohan hosted the first open brain in Colombo and since then they have been alternating from friends houses and their own. Last week they had there first session at the British Council Library. Their events in Colombo attract around 35 to 50 attendees.
Any form of art can be shared like poetry, music, comedy or drawings. In fact there are no boundaries to who can share. In New York th duo had a friend who was a massage therapist, she would call on volunteers and demonstrates different techniques to release stress.
We try to keep it very organic and there is no set order to what is shared, in Colombo Ohan or I usually start the proceedings. We are trying to take art out of a vacuum sealed box for everyone to share,” said Michael.
This concept is by no means new, enlightenment era salons can be dated to Roman times. Ideas have always been passed in a gathering of people, what is different with Open Brain is its informal settings. Ohan and Michael’s down to earth warm personalities bring energy and enthusiasm that comfort their audience. They create an environment and community where people are able to share with out being judged.
The recent Open Brain session was held at the British Council amidst beanbags and comfortable chairs in a circle and began with their own original material. Their large extension of friends also helped calm all new comers and as they say you are not obliged to share yet it is encouraged.
| Story telling with Caravan
Caravan is an evening where anyone of any age can come and share a story. There’s no other art form than sharing an experience and then discussing it with the audience. “This is more off the cuff and just stories” said Ohan. You have to stand in front of the group and tell your story, but it’s a very informal experience at Café Kumbuk. The night starts with names placed in a bowl and again you are no t obliged to share but if called the minimum you will have to say is your name. Again either Ohan Mark or Michael Ketigian would start the event to get the ball rolling. Mark began with a story of how he found himself in hospital and being questioned whether he had taken class A drugs which he had not. Then a name was pulled out of the bowl. This participant merely wanted to state his name and profession but was later prompted with a few questions. Subsequently he told the story of his start up business. Later various friends of Ohan and Michael share stories of humourous situations. One attendee Stefan related how he was stopped on his dirt bike in Colombo and went to court to pay a fine. It later turned out that his licence was taken and he need to retrieve the document in a very doggy car park like meeting between two spies. Another attendee Lal who was late for a yoga class at the Prana Lounge next door, stumbled upon the event. He was reluctant at first but gave a great story of how he came in to contact with one of the most venomous snakes in Sri Lanka, Russell’s viper. Asked weather the two events they curate are similar and will attract the same crowd Ohan said, “80 per cent of the crowd will be different at the two gatherings. Our closest friends will attend as they share similar interests. This is for anyone who just has a story, you don’t need any skills to tell a story.” They shall be alternating the weeks of both events. They are both held in a very relaxed atmosphere where you will be able to share as well again knowledge.
Text and pictures by Dilantha Dassanayake |
Following the success of ‘Open Brain ‘ organisers decided to create an event that was not strictly for as they put it ‘arty types’.
