Today we’d like to introduce you to Giancarlo Simpson, Jonathan de Lavelanet.
Giancarlo and Jonathan first met in 2012 at Florida International University through involvement with the Caribbean Students Association on campus. In 2016, the duo experienced working together at the Harid Conservatory, a boarding school for ballet students. The two worked together for a year prior to Giancarlo’s departure. In that year, they developed a close relationship founded on open conversation and inquisition. Their shared interest in bringing people together and creating spaces for intimate dialogue fostered an opportunity to bring about meaningful conversation, which was missing from their environment. With this understanding, they set out to create a space for people to gather and express themselves. These gatherings are now called “Conversation Parties”.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
G and Jon host, “Conversation Parties”, social gatherings that give people an opportunity to share questions and perspectives in a welcoming environment, thus integrating practice and development of effective social skills and mental health. “We pretty much talk about deep stuff in a non-judgmental environment. We encourage people to be curious, open-minded and respectfully challenge each other’s perspectives and values.”
The monthly gathering is hosted in various locations. The upcoming conversation party will be at Vegan Fine Foods on May 13th, 2019. Word is spread through personal relationships that G and Jon have and through social media. They also encourage people to bring others who would enjoy an experience like this. G and Jon mediate each conversation to encourage verbal and non-verbal communication and redirect statements that may devalue any person’s experience or perspective.
G and Jon have a true passion for communication and connecting people. This has guided them to create intimate spaces and develop an experience for human beings to actually talk to each other. It is imperative for this to occur considering the technological advancements which have damaged the social skills of individuals in today’s society.
The duo also strive to ensure that people feel safe and open to share experiences and perspectives with someone they know or even someone they are unfamiliar with. We should all be able to come to an understanding with each other, no matter the circumstance.
Conversation Parties influence an organic form of expression.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The public’s access to an abundance of social and artistic options makes it challenging to distinguish yourself in a community and receive consistent support.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The next Eclectic Conversation is on Monday, May 13th, from 7pm – 11pm at Vegan Fine Foods in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Contact Info:
- Email: eclecticconversations@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eclecticconversations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eclectic-Conversations-432980797232735/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EclecticConvo
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