Cooper Bates
My name is Cooper Bates and I grew up in a small town in the middle of Kansas. The population was around 1,500. As you can imagine It was predominately white. I however, am not. During my formative years, I worked really hard to fit in. To be normal. Over the years I felt i’d developed a few traits that helped me form and nourish friendships, despite my handicap, but it was not until I graduated high school that I gained insight into what others valued in me. When I was leaving for college, I dropped by a friends house to say goodbye to him and his family. His mother hugged me and said, “I’m going to miss you. You ask interesting questions.” That complimented landed, although I struggled to own it. I felt being aware of my so called “interesting question asking” would became an affectation. In other words, “is it possible to I should get in here and work this idea more. Do other people agree. Etc.would I become disingenuous?” How could it not? However, I understood that what makes me an adept questioner is the fact that I am genuinely interested in people. So asking questions became a skill. In part to survive. In part to connect and in part because I’m an amateur anthropologist. Conversation keeps me anchored. This deck is a manifestation of my experiences and interactions.
One man show:
Nery Orellana
A versatile graphic designer and artist with over 30 years of experience who lives and works in Los Angeles, California. He was born in Guatemala’s Caribbean Coast. Nery discovered his passion for art and illustration as a child when his 3rd Grade teacher neglected to teach anything but art for the whole year. Nery believes that interesting things happen when the creative impulse is cultivated with curiosity, freedom and intensity. Trained and worked with legendary designer Saul Bass for five years, Nery has worked in a range of art forms, including painting, mural making, illustration, ceramics, block printing, and photography. www.neryorellana.com
