TOOWEE KAO
art consultant & art dealer, owner & director of Soze Gallery – Los Angeles
Toowee Kao is a gallerist and private art dealer who represents two of our ambassadors at her Los Angeles-based Soze Gallery: Jaybo Monk and Augustine Kofie. But also for all the other young contemporary artists who are entrusted in her care Toowee Kao is an essential supporter since she is not only a natural talent when it comes to art business but also aims to make being an artist a little less hard in every way and offers an artist residency in downtown Los Angeles for Sozes Gallery’s international artists. In short: Toowee Kao has got her eyes on the future of art and never stops impressing us with her power; she supports young contemporary artists in their creative pursuit of success and happiness.
Alongside her commitment to Soze Gallery and Soze Residency, Toowee Kao runs Time To Shine Gallery and CAMP2E. Time To Shine Gallery is not only home to CAMP2E but also a project concept space and gallery which offers local Los Angeles-based artists a work and exhibition space as well as give them “opportunities to shine.” Whereas CAMP2E is dedicated to the little ones. The art camp for kids brings together less fortunate, inner city children and artists featured in Soze Gallery to help them to get into art – it’s “a fun space to explore, experience, and create new works of art” that relies on Toowee Kao’s belief that giving these children a chance to get creative will allow them to build a better future for themselves.For us Toowee Kao is a kindred-spirit who has supported IWISHUSUN by purchases but also by her strong belief in our vision. Thank you, Toowee, and a very warm welcome!
You are a creative person, what is your vision for your personal work?
I see my creativity at work in all aspects of my life, whether it is business or public, non-profit outreach. My vision would be allowing my creativity to influence the kids of our future to be independent, fearless, create, and have the freedom to whatever they want. The possibilities are endless. They just need to know that its possible. Continue taking risks and working with great artists who continuously push the envelope with their work.
You put a lot of effort into participation and a vivid interaction between Los Angeles residents and your artists. Time to Shine Gallery and Soze Residency are only two examples out of many different activities. What is the best experience that resulted from your endeavor?
The best experience resulting from what I have organized in my career is being able to see the artists I love make a difference in the lives of children in the area who would originally have no access to art materials nonetheless one-on-one experiences with, in my opinion, some of the most influential Los Angeles artists today.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do? Can the above mentioned offers be understood as your personal definition of giving back or charity?
Yes, I believe that CAMP2E, amongst other endeavors, is giving back to the community in a very important and unique way. Offering art education and an outlet for children and young adults to express themselves in a safe and encouraging environment and seeing them receive the praise they deserve is one of the most important things a person in the art world can do to give back.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
My tactic? Anyone who wants to see the world become a better place needs to just persevere. I do not know if I can describe it as a tactic, but I approach social and global improvement as continuing to work for what I love and resolving the issues I hope to resolve. If you continue doing that, your ethics, horizons, and impact expand organically. I guess my tactic is letting my consciousness naturally evolve, it’s a ‘tactic’ I would recommend.
You live and work in Los Angeles, a city of sun. What impact do the city, the environment, and the people have on your own creative work? And how do they influence the work of the artists who had been invited to Soze Residency to date?
The geography of this city, I believe, inevitably prompts one to think in an expansive manner. This is what influences my concept of art being something greater, if not boundless. I believe the artists who have come through my residency are influenced similarly. Most of them have never extensively explored LA. When at the residency, they are able to do so and it is impossible for this environment to not influence or even infiltrate their work.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
It was a two dimensional work of art that only I know that changed the way I saw art and propagated my love for art and a passion for what art is capable of.
What would you like to see more often?
New works of art that moves me, I would like to see more people striving to make social impact through their work or through their own means. Most of us have the ability to use our creative practices to educate and motivate, and that’s something I would like to see more people take advantage of.
Being a gallery owner is serious business. Your personal opinion: what makes a work of art valuable and meaningful?
Its ability to make you feel something. Its ability to make you see something differently, get lost within it, and exit with an experience or a shift in thinking. Whether or not this shift is transient is inconsequential, the fact that a work of art prompted it makes it meaningful.
Who is your personal hero?
My mother.
Sunrise or sunset, which do you prefer?
Sunset.
What is your picture for IWISHUSUN?
I picture IWISHUSUN working towards the things I find important and that I can align with my personal philosophy of creativity as a driving force in social change. I picture IWISHUSUN joining the movement of artists and creative organizations that hope to improve the world around us.
Johann Haehling von Lanzenauer
gallery owner & curator, co-founder & director of Circle Culture Gallery – Berlin
“I’ve always found it hard not to think about work,” claims Johann Haehling von Lanzenauer, who hails from Southern Germany but is now a Berliner by choice. “So I make sure I only work at things I am passionate about.” And it’s impossible not to believe him: Johann and his partner Dirk Staudinger ran an advertising agency, he worked as a creative director for Nike and wrote for several culture magazines like Style & The Family Tunes, but then he committed himself to the art world. One could say that 2001 marked a decisive turning point in his life, because that was when Johann Haehling von Lanzenauer and Dirk Staudinger founded the Circle Culture Gallery.
An open space for contemporary art, focusing on fine art emerging from urban subculture, located in Berlin as well as in Hamburg, it has evolved into one of the most important spots when it comes to urban art in Germany. Showcasing many of the most exciting talents of the scene, such as Aaron Rose, André Saraiva, Olivia Steele, Stefan Strubmel, Stohead and XOOOOX as well as IWISHUSUN ambassadors Jaybo Monk, Kevin Earl-Taylor and Marco “Pho” Grassi, the gallery has become a “powerhouse of the urban art scene.” We have attended countless openings and exhibitions at the Circle Culture Gallery and its excursions to temporary exhibition spaces, and can certainly claim to be dedicated followers of their work. Many of the gallery’s represented artists already support our project, and now Johann himself has shown his colours for IWISHUSUN. A very warm welcome!
What is more important to you, the sense of taste or sight?
Why?
You can look and you can see. I rather tend to see. Seeing, observing, feeling and understanding things is richer than just analyzing if something is charming to the eye.
You are a creative person. What is your vision for your personal work?
I am driven by inspiration and love. My vision is to be involved in constructive, culturally progressive and creative relationships with artists and art lovers.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
First of all, making myself a better place through breathing meditation. Getting rid of stress and anger to be open, empathetic and aware of the beautiful present my life is. From there you can achieve anything and create a positive vibe in the world surrounding you. Honestly: sometimes I wish I had more discipline in my breathing practice. But I’m working on it…
Can art change the world and educate people (i.e. in the way literature/theatre has influenced society through the ages, ever since theatre in ancient Greek civilisation)?
Art is a crucial part of human evolution. I think it is one of the core cultural paradigms expressing how much the world changes over time. Especially in today’s world, as art has a growing impact on various parts of our daily life, it is changing the way people think, look, dress, talk and travel. It is creating a massive change in our lives. In a world of mass consumption and pseudo individualism we are looking for stimulating ideas & authentic attitudes. We are looking for “one offs” we can identify with!
Being a gallery owner is a serious business. Your personal opinion: what makes a work of art valuable and meaningful?
As I said above, we are looking for unique positions. The only thing you can’t copy or fake are the spirits that live in any art form. Valuable art or fine art is a form of unique and blessed human artistic expression. Of course the technical and communication side plays a major role, but the core value sits in the guts of the artist. The meaning lies in the eye of the beholder. It is a purely subjective experience. It starts with the fact that if a piece of art intrigues the observer, a dialogue with the artwork ensues. From there you can dive into the deepest levels of meaning.
Who is your personal hero?
Captain Future.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do?
I try everyday to give back by trying to be respectful and attentive to people. As much as I can.
Through your gallery you travel a lot. Which place and what else would you love to see more often?
Honestly, I have travelled so much, that I just want to be in my “Heimat.” Close to my daughter and my team.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
The love to my daughter.
Sunrise or sunset – what do you prefer?
Sunset. “Le meilleur moment de la journée.”
What is your picture for IWISHUSUN?
WOW! WOW! WOW!