Radha Kotliarsky: On Creativity
Marianna
Do you have any habits you've built for yourself to foster creativity?
Radha
When I get any type of ideas in my head that are fruitful I write them down. When I am in that creative headspace and am able to work on my ideas that’s when I narrow them down and work on what I can actually bring to action. It’s sort of like a constant narrowing down; long term, short term, the big picture, small picture. Then I act on what is at the top of my list and which I have the most desire for.
Marianna
Where do you think ideas come from?
Radha
Everything and everyone
Supply and demand
Does that still make it creative? Not sure. I’ve always been very business-headed. Which I think is a blessing and a curse. I get ideas constantly, from other people, from my surroundings.
I’m very visual. With supply and demand, how many times are we talking or doing something and think, damn I wish this was easier or faster or a better process, etc.
Marianna
What is creativity to you?
Radha
Creativity is bringing something new into the world that is done in an extraordinary way. Creativity is the execution of an idea done in a way we haven’t seen before. It can also be the execution of an idea interpreted in your own way. Same concept, different language.
Marianna
What are the unexpected turns your life took to lead you to become who you are today?
Radha
Oh man, I’ll write a book about this eventually. Pretty much everything has been unexpected up to this point. Everything moving forward I’ve learned not to expect. But in all seriousness, my life hasn’t been ‘according to plan’ at all. I’m so grateful for that.
I have all these different backgrounds and was raised in two polar opposite environments. I’ve lived in seven countries and states since high school, not to mention how many I’ve traveled to. I’ve ended up in the most bizarre situations and met fascinating people.
I’ve been a professional athlete, an artist, a designer, I’ve dropped out of school, I’ve had eating disorders, been broke, the list goes on full of unexpected turns. I think as of right now, modeling was the biggest curveball in my life. Turned out to shape my life and move me in a different direction, was it really that unexpected? Unsure.
Marianna
How has working at the intersection of fields affected your thinking?
Radha
It feels like one person is pulling my arm towards them, another person is pulling my leg towards them, a third pulling my arm, and so on. I’m still finding the balance of it all, but it’s easier said than done. I thrive with order and organization, it’s impossible to do what I do without it.
That being said, everything I do is spaghetti, it all interconnects and intertwines. I’ve been able to combine or come up with way more creatively forward ideas because of it. We’re all interconnected, why can’t we do that with our fields of work? Categories are overrated.
Marianna
What parallels do you see in your life?
Radha
Everything is parallel. I sort of have to treat everything as parallels. I imagine lines all parallel to each other, music, fashion, film and tv, entrepreneurship, investing, management everything is a line going up parallel to each other. I’m running in between each line back and forth, watering it and running in between lines, watering and nourishing each one constantly.
The lines are blurry because of that. I can use the water produced from one parallel to water the others and vice versa. And it’s all under one greenhouse. One ecosystem. I’m trying to get into gardening, apologies for the reference. Obviously we can tell what my creative mind is pulling towards right now, hahaha.
Marianna
Can you think of something you read or saw recently that strikes you as a truly new idea?
Radha
I’ve been noticing a lot more concepts of parallel universes in tv and film. Think Hunters, For All Mankind, ideas of: what if our history took a different turn? It’s not a new idea but are any ideas new?
Marianna
Can you tell me about a time you inspired creativity in others?
Radha
You know when you’re in a deep talk with someone, completely present, it’s probably been hours. You’ve been ranting and learning and just bouncing concepts off each other. And you get that genuine ‘aha’ from whoever you’re talking to? You can see it in their eyes always. That’s when you’ve done it. Inspired creativity in someone. So satisfying.
Marianna
Can you tell me about a time that someone helped you innovate?
Radha
Constantly, I never would be owning a business that I do if it wasn’t for the discussions I had with industry professionals. The idea of label and artist management being a consultancy and a process that can be automated, so I can have multiple clients instead of being confined to one company.
Marianna
How do you make sense of chaos in your life?
Radha
Everything happens for a reason, there’s no story, and all you have is now. Why not enjoy what you can control, the right now. Writing this sentence is all I have that’s real. Chaos is great, it makes life happen.
Marianna
Why do you think some people struggle with innovation?
Radha
Routine is comfortable, something not working is a great excuse to be upset or angry or create drama. Humans love drama, they love when things don’t work. Innovating would be doing the exact opposite.
Marianna
Why do you think people get stuck on problems?
Radha
Laziness. Which stems from not having any desire.
Marianna
What's the best decision you've made?
Radha
Choosing to be self-aware, becoming conscious, and accepting the responsibility that comes with that.
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About Radha Kotliarsky:
Radha Kotliarsky is an entrepreneur and model. Radha started her music management and consulting business, Lushkills in 2016 after spending years working for some of the top independent record labels in the world.
Alongside her business, Radha has graced the covers of many magazines, lookbooks, and runways. Based in New York City, Radha was born and raised in Tel-Aviv and comes from a Russian background.
Follow her on Instagram @Radha