Zoe Map: On Creativity
Marianna
What sources of inspiration do you use to foster creativity in your work?
Zoe
My main inspiration that nurtures my work is/was my decision to fully join the Hip Hop street-culture. I became active in experiencing this combination of urban art forms and later on, a truly passionate expert. I kept following the many aspects related to and the extensions of it and how it has been influencing other content. It became an infinite source and later tool, that not only contributed to my creativity until this day but, it was a tangible help and hope throughout my growth. The magical experiences collected are many from the artworks I have seen to the people I've met.
Having John Ahearn casting my body to create a sculpture of me, is probably in my top 5 unbelievable experiences, as is curating an art show at 550 Gallery "Not En Vogue", last September, with him, Lady Pink, SWOON, Ricky Powell ... and seeing Carlo McCormick walking in.
Marianna
Where do you think ideas come from?
Zoe
My ideas come from observing deeply, living experiences to the fullest, feelings, and probably more places that I'm not even aware of. Humans and locations are on top of my list and just staring at those individually and/or together, vividly stimulate my memories and my imagination…plus smell and sound, contribute to making my synesthetic dreams three dimensional. Ideas come from nature, stories, traditions, rituality, colors, differences, relations, etc.
Marianna
What does creativity mean to you?
Zoe
Creativity is mother nature, is the connection with your inner-self, what I would call the divine. Every time you create, you give birth to an idea that will change you, will change the present and the future. feel it's an immense contribution to history that can shift, influence human's vision, mentality, and decisions.
While creating, you start a deeper conversation with yourself and the others you want to communicate with. While creating, you might seek to scream your existence, your identity, imprint on some deeper surface level, your permanent sign. While creating, you heal and, overall, to create is an act of rebellion.
Marianna
What are the unexpected turns your life took to lead you to become who you are today?
Zoe
Since I moved to NYC, my life started to make more sense to me. Also, since I had the chance to start from zero and build differently, build more consciously; even introducing myself to strangers became easier, in some ways, than talking to old friends.
It was very unexpected to see people taking me more seriously than ever and I found a deep artistic and human connection with that has always been the main inspiration for me.
I felt very blessed for the many amazing artists I met and the opportunities that came my way so spontaneously. I took the chance to push my creativity further, in ways I always wanted to but never felt very confident in.
5 years ago I had an unexpected disease that stopped me completely from what I was doing and literally changed me permanently, inside and out. Sufferance and pain taught me to better practice self-love and kept my perspective expanding. That huge challenge pushed me to return to my number one passion and talent, which is dancing. Since then, I started practicing again and I made progress in the craft, that moved me forward.
Marianna
What are some creative accomplishments you are proud of so far?
Zoe
Honestly, I'm proud of my tenacity first and of course, I'm very proud that one of my music videos recently won an award and was officially selected to SXSW 2019. Grateful to keep inspiring with my project Womxn To The Front as well; the feedback is always amazing and pushes me to do more for the cause. I'm very proud that I've danced in front of numerous people, deeply evolved my style, and learned how to DJ and played my favorite jams at several events. I could keep going with an endless list ...
Marianna
Do you experiment in your work?
Zoe
It's always an experiment that hopefully is somewhat original. Dejavú, redundant images, memories, traveling...I become pretty obsessive in my experiences and concepts I’ve worked to develop over and over. Everything seems linked somehow and has continuity, so, I feel I'm either on the right path or stuck on some pattern I need to get out of, once I learn how to do better.
Marianna
What do you think is something that the most creative people in the world have in common?
Zoe
I think creative people share the urge of communicating a specific message or many. Often, we all want to feel understood.
Marianna
How do you make sense of chaos in your life?
Zoe
Chaos is necessary and can sometimes and/or often be confusing, but I feel we all need it. Creating is a way to meditate over it and somehow give structure to what seems fuzzy. One step at the time, things will clear up and the path will reveal itself.
Marianna
Why do you think people get stuck on problems?
Zoe
Insecurity, fear of failing, pressure from a reckless society, and past traumas. However, I think every personal journey is a very complex book we aren't able to read fully, and, we are called to be kind and compassionate towards everyone's struggle.
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About Zoe Map:
Daniela “Zoe” Croci aka Zoe Map is an Italian award-winning filmmaker officially selected at SXSW 2019 with a production company based in Brooklyn New York called Zoe Map Films.
“Zoe’s vision captures urban landscapes with a focus on documenting the human experience through the lens of ART, MUSIC & CULTURE.”
Her career pursuits as a filmmaker brought her to New York City where she currently lives and produces music videos, fashion editorial videos, documentaries, and commercials. In 2013 she opened a space for artistic expression and performance called “Exit Room”. The unconventional gallery hosted and supported artists from all over the world and enjoyed a following of art critiques, art buyers, and journalists who always promoted and reviewed her unique projects.
In 2017 she started her project “Womxn to The Front“, providing a platform for womxn filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians; supporting gender equality with such tremendous impact. Zoe has produced more than 20 exhibitions and an impressive number of videos and musical performances. She curates events and gatherings to raise awareness on social justice with recurring themes of diversity and racial equality in American culture.
Zoe amplifies cultural narratives through the arts and film and connects individuals to the people, and resources they need to create a better future for themselves.