#Its4U - Artists see connections where other’s see chaos - with Sveinung Nygaard

Are you creative? Well, you need to listen to Sveinung Nygaard! he’s a composer, an artist, musician and he’s part of the Bards for Climate, because he believes the artistic mindset is capable of solving the biggest problems the world faces. In this wonderful conversation we discuss how climate is an identity issue and what we can do about it, as well as why it’s so important to have a purpose driving you, something you can give your life too. So much inspiration in this chat, have a listen and make sure you follow Sveinung too. Amazing inspiration. 

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Transcript

0:11

Welcome to 12 days of COP. I'm your host, Andrea Edwards. And today, I'm I I think we're where where are we today? We're in Sweden, And I'm very, very happy to introduce you to a new friend for me as well, Svinong Nigga. I did I get I didn't get it right. No. That's crazy. Very good. Very good. Well, up there, top English speaking, yeah, is good. But for now, it's Sven. Right? It lets you Sven. It's a Norwegian name, Svein. I'm based in Gothenburg in Sweden, but I'm from Norway. So I'm used to my my name being pronounced different ways, hence, I go by Sven abroad. Yes. You're used to dealing with, ignorant English Speaking people. Right? There there are it's it's it's a challenge for the mouth to reshape in different languages. Yeah. But I've been living in In England, and it was, it never worked quite quite my name. But, I think you'd you'd find Australia even more challenging with the way we use our vowels. Anyway, So I don't know very much about you, but I've got a little bit of an insight. So I think we've just gotta start with, you know, let's let's let's learn What you're all about and what your passion is? Yeah. I'm a composer, film composer for, For film and theater and, advertisement, so I I've been doing that for many years, across the world in different projects. So I'm in my studio now in Gothenburg. You're still in London for 9 years and a couple other things. But, yeah, I think The artistic scene and, is where I'm coming from, and the, I have my own project as well called Fleet, which means flow, where I travel around recording people all over the world and making these ambient landscapes, which I call a dream that everyone can have. And so, you don't see it here, but I got instruments from all over the world here in my in my studio, and I enjoy that. So that's my Nice. My passion, the music. So I'm a guitarist and a, composer. Nice. Nice. That was one of my potential parts. When know I was at university composition, but, I went in another direction, so I I respect it because it's not easy. And, you know, if you're have you been very like working for major major films? And I've been doing some not super major films, but a lot of different projects, A lot of variety in the things, so you have to be consistent. I think that's one of the big questions when people are When you're approaching the film industry, it's like, can we trust you? To make good music, but to make it on time and not to to be To be a good collaborator, and this takes time to prove. You can't just send the music file over and say, oh, that's fine. It's about who you are also because when it's speed up when things are moving, they are really moving, and you have to be consistent Artistically, so that takes time. So, yeah, it's a journey, long journey. I've been doing it for many years and then do different things. So I in different regions and different projects. So I have enough to do, and it pays the bills. Yeah. And I get to travel and meet people, which I find really interesting to meet artistic people who see the world in in a very, very different way. Absolutely agree with you, and I was really, I was really happy to recently read that, you know, there's lots of different types of intelligence even though we only really value one. And, obviously, EQ, CQ, cultural intelligence, which I think is something you really get when you travel. But musical intelligence is an intelligence. You know? And I only just found that out recently. And so, yeah, there you go. It is. I studied mathematics, and people say mathematics is related to music by it's number and matrices and that kind of thing, And it's graphs and but it no. It's much deeper than that. It's seeing patterns intuitively. So music is all about connections and Seeing shapes connect. So I think, yeah, music is part of the arts world and I think the artist can embrace longer lines, maybe underlying factors. They can see connections where other people see only chaos, which I find deeply fascinating that when people just look to the surface, artists can Need to go a little bit beyond that and see what's really going on here, for better or worse, not just being looking for the bad thing because that's one thing, but looking for, Oh, have you thought about this? It's connected to that. And what what does that mean to you if we as a new thoughts, basically, thinking tangentially and that kind of thing? Yeah. No. Absolutely. Agree. So, you're also part of the Climate Bards? Is that what it's called? Climate Bards? Bards for Bards for Climate. Something about the climate. Something about. Tell us about that. Yeah. I mean, this is kind of where My journey started I mean, I grew up always with the the knowledge that the climate was a little bit out of out of control and that kind of thing, but living in Norway, we didn't feel that so much. But it dawned on me the the link between the artistic mindset and the problems of the world and how we can take a step forward into the circle of society. Bards used to be known as the guys who We're only used to art to praise the kings and the rulers and be paid to do that. We take it a bit further, and we say like, Okay. You have your art form. Now step into the circle and and tell the stories that would help people understand their lives and understand their, their And so they can be any kind of art form, really. Yeah. We don't see the climate challenge now as much of a technical thing as a Identity issue because we know or at least I knew the the reports from the base and It's not it was out of control, and it's gonna be an identity journey back to find out who we really are. And that is a good good journey because I think what we the problems we see now come from our exploitation of the earth and shortcuts into wealth and shortcuts, and And all these now manifest in the in the material world as part per million in, of CO 2 and all that kind of thing. But it it all all comes from ways of dealing with things in a, I wanna control the world. I wanna control other people. I wanna have a shortcut to a better better life without actually doing the work. So I think it's all We can describe this as as in in nontechnical terms, as Mark has in tech terms. It's it's a it's a spiritual transformation that's required of all of us. Right? You know? And when when when when people When I have an argument with me about it not happening, I'm like, I'm I'm I'm really not interested in arguing with anyone about about it if they think that, Especially where where I live, you know, the waste crisis is on our doorstep, and it's horrendous what you see in the environment. You know? So It's even I just wanna say to people, okay. You don't believe in climate change. Whatever. I'd like you know, are you happy with our world? Mhmm. Are you happy with, You know, women and children being subjected to sexual slavery and violence, like, you know, we we we haven't got it right. So and and and and that's, that's something that we've gotta really go within and and sort out. We've gotta sort it out within ourselves, within our communities, our societies around the world, and help the help the poorest of the world rise up while we shrink our impact down, you know. For sure. And I can see from, in Scandinavia that actually are Our longing to control the world in a rational manner and and a technical manner, has led us to be quite poor in terms of our it's about having the developing countries, reaching a level level of, Whatever they need to come to, and we have to come down. But I think in a deeper way, it's actually some in the west, we have attached our identity to things and control and rationality, and we have to actually take a step not down or up, but sideways and and redefine and refine who we really are and who we want to be. And I think going a little bit wider, I think this is also some of the wars and conflicts we see now also reflect, who we want to be and value choices in that. So I think that The journey of having fewer things but being more secure in who you are in the West, not down to things, but but to who you are, is actually very climate Friendly way of looking at things, and all very good thing for us. And so what are the buzz for climate release? So we had a couple different products, if you like. So we're we're developing these. 1 is postcards from the future, Which is kind of a guided meditation, about if you were to write a postcard from your future self Back into your present self, what would you write? And it goes over a couple hours, and we we were running these. And we run it also in conjunction with The, the prisms, which is our main thing now during COP where we prism things. We use it as a verb where we, We listen in on what's being said. We choose a talk or a press conference, and then we listen actively. So what is going on here? Who's at the stage? What's if you view it as theater, how would you describe it? And how would this Be can this be expressed in a helpful way? Because it's quite to be, just saying it's bad, it's good. But, also, it needs translation into an emotional language, into a more coherent language, more action Inviting language. So our role is to listen actively for these kind of points where these kind of key moments where we think This needs I need to explain this in a different way. It could be the in a musical way. It could be music with words. It could be words like poetry or prose. It could be paintings or dance. We have, like, one one time was lady dancing, what not the message, But what she felt when she saw the message, and this was an interpretation of it and taking it further. So it's a way of of training how to listen, But also narrowing back to the speakers. We've been now doing getting some feedback from the speakers at COP 27. We, through via LinkedIn, But also, developing ourselves and and also spreading them on our Instagram, account, Prisms of Bards, And the website. Yeah. Prisms or buzz is where we share our things now. Yeah. So we we just feel these prisons, where we define them as an artistic reaction to a technical or political talk within the climate Debacco situation. Done in no more than a working day, and aim to stir emotion and be constructive in our response. And it's a it's a powerful method method too. When you listen with that those kinda, ears and eyes on, it is very powerful for the the artists as well, I must say. You know, I could imagine, and, yeah, just like, I think that we we like the ability to appreciate nuance, you know, and you'll see people with such strong opinions one way or another. And so, well, yeah, I can kinda see that 1 and that 1, but there's also all these other pieces as well, And we need to be thinking of it all holistically, so that ability to sort of translate I mean, you're basically translating because people are struggling. You know? I read so much technical scientific stuff, and if I talk to people about it, they're like, what? But, I mean, the measurements of climate change are are words I don't even know. I don't even know what they mean, you know, but you kind of get used to reading them. Right? But, so if there's been 1 piece of news so far at COP 28 that's sort of got your attention, maybe, you're feeling positive about it, is it what what would you say that would be so far? I mean, leading leading up to the whole, the the copy was all this news about what in at BBC and things that it would be used for Oil negotiations, and that was not so so good. But I feel it was good and maybe Relaxing the, the environment, but but a bit to release the news of the loss and damage fund quite early and the historic, breakthrough on that, Of course, with the problems, it comes with where does the money come from, and how it's distributed, and the the amount of money, And and who, yeah, who's paying the the most. But but still getting to that point of of, responsibility from, wealthy countries to towards the other one? It's I think it's important historic step forward. So let's see if that will just be a sleeping pillow, and that will be the only result that comes out of the There will be actual other, elements and resolutions come out of this. We and we see this problem as a complex problem, of course, climate. And so many people are looking for the silver bullet That will, like, that will do the whole thing, and it probably won't. But part of the the nature of of media and is that it's very simply simplified. It's down to 1 person, 2 persons, 1 message that will do the whole thing. And I think it probably needs to be more organically than that. So let's see. So some of these things won't be Like, the change of somebody's heart, the change of somebody's hope is quite powerful things that can't maybe be measured or transmitted. So, yeah, so let's let's see where it where it ends up. But copy is not the only thing that will save the world in the end. No. That's alright. Yeah. Look. I think whatever happens, it it it regardless, we've just gotta come together There's a global community, and we've just gotta say, right, let's get going. Let's clean it up, regenerate, rewild, consume less, Now really reduce our impact at scale. You know, we need a 1000000000 people sort of saying, I'm I'm in. I'm gonna do this. You know? I'm gonna be part of the change, and then We encourage everybody else. You know? So we've just no matter what happens, we've just gotta keep moving forward and sharing a positive message because People without hope are not gonna change anything. Right? If you think Yeah. So yeah. On that note, because I think something that we need in the west It's not necessary I know there are problems in different countries, but we don't know don't necessarily need money and wealth. I think we need purpose. We need something to to be on fire for, something to give our lives to. And I think if you do that, the kind of the, The negative sides will be transformed into positive purpose tasks that this is something I'll do, not because it's, Yes. It's not a negative. It's not giving up. It's actually, like, letting go of some things that were holding us back. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That could be transformative as well. I like it. Alright. Growing up in Norway, and then having lived and traveled around the world, Was there was there a moment for you when you realized that we were in trouble and that we needed to do something about it? Can you remember an epiphany or Just a moment. I think I still remember the couple of things from when I grew up, which They're always there. We have a lot of country a lot a lot of nature in our way, so we we're quite used to being close to nature. But I remember, our prime minister report for the UN back in the eighties. It felt very, very dark, but for quite distant, I must say. And then the other thing I just remember it was kinda Ozone layer and that everything that went down with that and how that worked out well in some ways. But I always felt, it was not About me and my skill set in my role, I always try and reduce things, of course. But it was kind of 5 years ago I realized there's an overlap here between the climate problem, which I always saw as a technical You went a bit distant thing, to and that that's that technicals a climate thing and the artistic side, and then I realized, okay. There's something here that's going on that's not just about climate. The climate is a symptom or something deeper, And then we approached that, and then that gave me some tools and some kind of call to action, for me myself. I was sitting at a conference, It's a climate conference in Switzerland, with an organization called Initiatives of Change, And it was very a lot of people from different realms and different, parts of the world, and I felt there was a kind of a A call for me to to step forward with the arts. Mhmm. That was yeah. About 5 years ago, so quite recent, really, in terms of, yeah. Never been kind of an activist because I always felt there was something that didn't quite fit my Myself? Me? Yeah. I think we gotta choose our path. You know what? I'm a conversationalist. That's what I like to do. So for me, it's like Having good you're having great conversations with people like you and just sort of learn learning about what you do so that hopefully you can inspire people that, you know, are are watching this from around the world. You know? So, yes. So I grew up in Australia. You were talking about the the ozone hole. Right? I grew up in Australia, so we lived That experience, you know, and, you know, when when when you're young, you you put, like, a a microscope over your hand to burn to burn your skin through the sun. Did you ever do that? Well, that's kinda No. I well, I did. I was a scout who tried to put things on fire and things like that. Alright. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I remember my brothers used to always themselves, but, then then it actually started to get really we we could feel it. We could feel the heat, and skin cancer started to really take off. 22 members of my family have Problems with skin cancer. Just just a couple of weeks ago, the New Zealand government announced that they, the ozone hole isn't repaired Like, they think it is. It's, it's actually it's actually getting bigger, so that was pretty pretty disappointing to hear that. You know? So yeah. Because that's the 7th, of the of the 9 resilience. So I think that's the 7th one that we've now crossed, So it's like, that's a bit disappointing. Alright. So, I know that you're not part of the core It's For You team, but the whole concept of It's For You is to really just sorta To remember to celebrate what's important in life, you know, whether it's, you know, that real connection with your community or giving art And and creativity and entertainment to people. So when you think when you think about it, when you've talked to Inga Mete, What what what is what is it for you? How does it speak to you as an as an as an idea? I I think we need To go from a structural to a kind of empowering the individual, I think there is a link between Which I find really inspiring that people have power. And I think this was what we see on on On the top level that the politicians and big business, they actually listen to people. When the people move vote with their feet moving business out of Russia That's and then moving off of fossil fuel, I think, is very powerful. So We should never look down on the individual choices and discussions and the power of hope and power of taking 1 step in the right direction. I think this is probably what's the main thing that's missing. And I feel when I watch cop the cops that they're all there's an elephant in the room, and the elephant is, what will people say? Can I get some people behind me in my country, in my business? My will they buy our product? Will they vote for me in the next election? So I think this kind of not individualistic, but individual change does lead to to Big change. And as you've seen it in in the past, and I think this is probably what needs to happen, the empowerment of the, you know, the individual, not as Well, I'm not gonna be critical of it because there are there's a role of being activist and being critical of the powers that be. But there's also a role of being This is I'm part of the problem, which means I'm part of the solution. And my individual choices actually make a difference. And how I speak about things is powerful. Some of the countries I've traveled to, you can see hopelessness on the walls, And you see it in the way that they there's no investment in painting the walls, rebuilding things. So sometimes hope Can be hugely economic a huge economic force, for bad and for good, and I think this could be one of One of the main things that we can we need to help people realize that they are they we have some power, and how we speak Actually, Justin doesn't just describe describe the reality, but also makes a new reality. So we need to speak the right way to each other. Yeah. Absolutely. No. I love that. Take care of our home, and the the painting is up. You're absolutely spot spot on. So One of my one of my friends here is, Joe Augustin. He he he believes that the climate fight will be won through art and artists, Because that the the ability to sort of visualize or capture complex ideas in in in all sorts of different art forms is important. So For all the creative people out there in the world, what do you say to them? Like, 5 years ago, you stepped into your voice and your courage to talk about it, which is obviously a big decision. Right? Because it can it can backfire in your on on your career. 2018 for me was when I I went full full full throttle. But, You know, for a long time, been doing it gradually. But so, what would you say to anyone who's, like, wants to be part of it but doesn't know how to How to get started? Well, apart from, obviously, following you guys and seeing what you're doing on on Instagram and in other social media channels, but, yeah, what are your thoughts? Pick up your brush. Make something. But but but realize that your brush and your guitar or your tool is an expression of your way of seeing the world. And the way of seeing the world, if you use it in a good way, is connecting dots so people can realize that there is something, underlying structure that could be good and lean into. The hero's journey, which is so prevalent in movies And in in in sagas, fairy tales, it's going from a normal world, having a problem going to The darkest cave and finding the lecture and coming back with that, I think that is the artistic journey, to go to places where people don't have time or the mindset To go there and find these kind of keys that unlock action. And so if we can paint the Picture of the world as coherent and a good place is that is very powerful and realizing that the That the chaos has potential. The word crisis doesn't necessarily mean a negative space. It means a space where There's uncertainty of direction, at a critical point where things can go in different directions. And that artists can embrace That chaotic space as a place of potential, a place of of new new beginnings and new new ideas. So art does have an entertainment role. It does have a self expression role, but also has a role of of painting opening the window And letting new light all come in or openings so people could see a new landscape. And that is The key for me to understand my art, and then and then going from there, and then being better at my instrument, better better in paint, better at whatever you do, but embracing that role of being the window opener, for people who accepted the the the win the house without windows. And then people will, will see it, and then they will believe in it. So I think the artistic mindset is hugely powerful. Yeah. Just from the way the mind works and the way it thinks when, You know, when you're a creative, right, as we started with. Alright. So, we'll we'll we'll we'll finish up, but any any final thoughts that you wanna pass Pass on to everyone. I'm inspired by these kind of networks like it's for you and and and our network and how all these things start going on in the background That don't maybe then don't get all the attention and the people that have the connections between people, is hugely powerful. So We need to engage, like, engage, like you mentioned, in good conversations. And some of that conversation will be wordless, and some of that will be artistic. And let's Keep that going. Yeah. Absolutely. It's absolutely critical. And and the It's For You program, if you have an opportunity, They're doing, live streaming at least once a day, if not more. Great conversations, amazing people from all over the world. Some of the guys that I'm talking to from Africa Oh, I spoke to this amazing lady from Pakistan. You know, they're just these people are just, they're just incredible, and they're right on the front line Dealing with some of the worst consequences of it, so definitely check them out. Alright? And thank you so much. It's been really nice to meet you, and I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on what you're doing and, and get get some inspiration as well. Alright? Now you just pause. Yes. Go.