We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nanu Berks. Check out our conversation below.
Nanu, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like drinking tea very slowly for as long as I can in absolute silence. Usually mate herbs with rose petals, lately some moringa, or peppermint. If the city is noisey I put on white noise tracks, a soft crackling fire place, rainstorm or forest sounds.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nanu Berks, I was born in Argentina, was nomadic for a long time then Texas grounded me for some good while. Special vibes there nature and humans.
I make mixed media art, lately mostly installation art and time capsule commissions. I use any and all materials that get me to the feeling I want to share.
I love creating centerpieces for brands or individuals with their special items. For example condensing albums of family photos into a mixed media fine art or grafiti piece, or taking company scrap materials and creating a sculpture with something that might otherwise go to waste. Sometimes companies hire me to impress a client with a commission for their brand or home when wine and dine no longer catches their attention. It’s a joy and an honor to be able to create something that really moves another human and brings them peace or fun.
For the first half of my career I was into murals and mixed media fine art with nostalgia items, old gameboys and candy wrappers from the 80s mixed with graffiti. Upcycling computer motherboards and all sorts of tech scraps to make time capsules of old and new, nature and fringe hardware.
Earlier on as a kid I used to pick up any shiny thing from the ground and glue It together to make sculptures, I guess i still have that crow like behavior.
My values and mission are to help one another pause for a moment and enjoy a moment of presence and calm.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Taking responsibility and listening kindly. The ability to be calm enough to pause and respond intentionally responce-ability. Ability to deeply listen and respond.
We all get triggered and defensive at times. I value when beyond those moments we get to reflect and say hey I wish I responded more calmly sorry for being defensive.
I have gotten better at not reacting but calmly responding. Im still working on setting better boundaries.
I get really sad when people deflect and don’t take responsibility, but I forgive very fast when people find that awareness and claim it.
I really think that’s a big key to honesty and harmony.
It’s impossible to avoid triggers reactions and mistakes, but it’s a lot easier to say a genuine sorry and change a behavior for the better than to hide behind deflecting.
Taking responsibility can feel scary or like the other person is imposing their reality on us if we don’t agree, but emotions and several truths can co exist. It’s a lot easier to be responsible and kind than to carry anger burdens and bitterness.
Life can be sweeter if we soften just a little
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Every 3 months or so hahaha I get so tired of trying to improve and be a good human and a good friend and just keep basic body human mind computer running smoothly. The difference now is that I know giving up is not a choice. For me I decided a long time that it isn’t. I know myself well enough to know that it is ok to accept the feeling of exhaustion that might tell my brain I want to give up, I now understand that just means I need more rest.
I’ve had so many hardships to overcome like most of us. Chronic pain, loss, grief, anxiety (times 100) I even had to re learn how to walk once after a terrible car accident, but here I am 10 years later, grateful to be able to walk, grateful for every single moment of sun on my face and good people in my life.
I like waking up every day thinking “what If my life started today in this moment with no past, what would I do with the resources mind and body I have?” It’s a fun and freeing exercise. Opens my mind to adventure and possibilities
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Uf. I deleted a social media account with 300k followers and a successful youtube channel because of this question.
One of the hardest parts of being successful as an artist for me was blending with my brand and having to become an influencer. I know many people struggle with this today.
Social media is tough on the psyche. I don’t think we are meant to know and see and compare so much. While extremely useful and inspiring and as an appreciator of tech and ai and any useful hammer for expansion, I really believe that the more we solidify our personality or brands the more we need to make space to protect moments of unbecoming or nonbeingness.
My public version is a very authentic version of me. Before it was blended with all of me and it nearly destroyed me. When all of our truth is public then we are not allowed to grow or change. We like keeping our heros or TV characters or artists or singers in their boxes, they represent this thing for us, we don’t like when that changes. Change can be tough.
Today my public version is just as real as before but separate from my private life. I also learned to keep some art stuff as hobbies and not monetize them. When I was younger I wanted to monetize my entire lifestyle it felt fun it was useful I could why not. Now I have returned to having some private things as sacred for me or close friends. Details, good music jam, silent walk in the woods with no phone, dinners with no photos.
That balance has done great things for my soul.
If we want to have the space to grow and change, and be better, I hope that the public version of anyone even if authentic isn’t ever the real you because you are expanding daily with the courage and freedom to play and fk around and find out who you actually like being at different times in your life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
In a recording studio or making music with friends. Getting lost in a beat in a handpan or tapping one note on a delicate chime.
My art installations are now including soundscapes. I spend a lot of time making music and designing light and sound experiences.
I am currently working on a large scale art installation for the superior palace of fine arts in argentina, it’s a long proyect with many moving parts, I love these types of proyects especially now that I have learned to slow down and plan well steadily and long term
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nanuberks.com
- Instagram: Creativepowernow
- Linkedin: Nanuberks
- Other: Nanu nomadia for music on all platforms
Image Credits
Nanu Berks
