Violetta Barba
Apulian designer, Violetta works between Lecce and Milan.
What is the best thing that I love about my work?
Amo l’imprevedibilità della materia, superare i suoi limiti e ciò che accade dopo giorni, settimane, mesi di studio: la perfetta definizione di un progetto.
I love the unpredictability of matter, overcoming its limits and studying what happens after days, weeks, months from the beginning of a biological or chemical induced process: the perfect definition of a project.
What is my idea of perfect happiness?
L‘accettazione che la felicità non è perfezione
The acceptance that happiness is not perfection
What is my greatest fear?
La rassegnazione ad uno stato di cose.
Resignation to a bad state of mind, state of affairs.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
Non accetto il mio atteggiamento alle volte pessimista.
I don’t accept my attitude, pessimistic at times.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
Enzo Mari, (per forza!) come designer del passato, Sato Oki (Nendo) come designer del presente, Shahar Livne come designer del futuro.
Enzo Mari, (of course!) as designer of the past, Sato Oki (Nendo) as designer of the present, Shahar Livne as designer of the future.
What is my greatest extravagance?
La mia stravaganza è un’ossessione. Osservare il mondo sempre con gli occhi investigativi.
My extravagance is an obsession. I always observe the world with an investigative look.
On what occasion would I lie?
Io non mento mai, questa è la mia bugia più grande
I never lie, that’s my biggest lie.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Non mi piace quando non viene riconosciuto il lavoro da designer o artista nel 2020.
I don’t like it when the work of designer or artist is not recognized in 2020.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
Quando un pensiero di un progetto diventa realtà è sempre il momento più felice.
When a thought of a project becomes reality, that is always the happiest moment.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
A volte mi manca quel pizzico di spensieratezza e coraggio che sono fondamentali nel mio lavoro…e nella vita.
Sometimes I miss that pinch of lightheartedness and courage that are fundamental in my work … and in life.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Fare questo lavoro arricchisce giorno per giorno. La ricerca ti porta sempre a fare nuove scoperte. Forse ancora non ho raggiunto quello perfetto.
Doing this job enriches day by day. Research always leads you to make new discoveries. Maybe I still haven’t achieved the perfect one.
Where would I most like to live?
Dappertutto, purchè ci sia la natura!
Everywhere, as long as there are natural landscapes to live!
What is my most treasured possession?
Essere nata in una famiglia di artigiani del legno.
Being born into a family of wood craftsmen.
What is my most marked characteristic?
La capacità di ascolto.
Listening skills.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
Non è nella mia città. Il posto che mi stimola di più é la campagna.
It is not in my city. The place that stimulates me most is the countryside.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Un posto che racconta la sua storia.
A place that tells its story.
What books influenced my life and how?
Tutti i libri di Stefano Mancuso per la capacità di suggerire modi di vivere prendendo ispirazione dalle piante. E i libri di Zygmunt Bauman per avermi dato le lezioni sulla società in cui vivo, meglio di chiunque altro.
All Stefano Mancuso’s books for their ability to suggest ways of living, taking inspiration from plants. And Zygmunt Bauman’s books for giving me lessons on the society I live in, better than anyone else.
Who are my favorite writers?
Italo Calvino
Bruno Munari
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Lucio Dalla La sera dei miracoli
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Pippicalzelunghe, ottimista e forte bambina che vive in una società dove i bambini possono fare esperienza diretta nelle strade del mondo, piuttosto che a scuola.
Pippi Longstocking, optimist and strong girl who lives in a society where children can experience directly in the streets of the world, rather than at school.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Le persone coraggiose e ottimiste. Sono anche le mie peggior nemiche.
Courageous and optimistic people. They’re also my worst enemies.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso di Giuseppe Tornatore, emozionante ed intramontabile film di amicizia, amore e appartenenza.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore, exciting and timeless film about friendship, love and belonging.
What role plays art in my life and work?
Nel mio lavoro arte e design non si scindono. é il mio piatto quotidiano.
In my work art and design are not separated. It’s my daily dish.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
Il mio compagno di vita e mia sorella minore ❤
My life partner and my younger sister ❤
Whom would I like to work with in 2020?
Per quel che resta del 2020 mi aspetto di lavorare con più artigiani e persone che amano le sfide di questo lavoro.
For what remains of 2020 I expect to work with more craftsmen and people who accept with passion challenges of this job.
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2020?
Mi piacerebbe collaborare con designer attenti ai cambiamenti della nostra società e con una certa sensibilità nei confronti dell’ambiente in cui viviamo.
I would like to collaborate with designers who are attentive to changes in our society and with a certain sensitivity towards the environment we live.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?
Spero di riuscire per la fine dell’anno a realizzare un progetto in cantiere da diversi mesi. A causa del lockdown ho dovuto rimandare qualsiasi pratica. Si tratta di Memoriale, un progetto che investiga la desertificazione del suolo salentino e la possibile estinzione di specie spontanee, conseguenze legate all’elevato e improprio uso di fitofarmaci dagli anni 70 ad oggi, estremamente nocive per la salute dell’intero ecosistema.
I hope to be able to carry out by the end of the year a project in the dockyard for several months. Due to the lockdown I had to postpone any practice. It is “Memoriale”, a project that investigates the desertification of Salento soil and the possible extinction of spontaneous species, this consequences are related to the high and improper use of pesticides from the 1970s onwards, chemical substances extremely harmful to the health of the entire ecosystem.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
Spero che possiate vedere nei prossimi mesi qualche pezzo in qualche galleria del mondo e sicuramente sul mio profilo IG vb_violettabarba
I hope you can see some pieces in some gallery of the world in the next months and definitely on my IG progile vb_violettabarba
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
Penso che debba essere un caposaldo per ogni artista di qualsiasi genere e designer. Inoltre, ho sempre pensato che la mia curiosità e la mia passione mi hanno salvata.
I think it should be a cornerstone for any kind of artist and designer. Furthermore, I always thought that my curiosity and my passion saved me.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Federica Amoruso, Shahar Livne, Silvia Dongiovanni, Selena Delvecchio, Irene Meneguzzo, Chiara Bevilacqua, Lara Gigante.
How can you contact me?
violettabarba@gmail.com
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
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You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
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You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
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You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
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You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 