What is the best thing that I love about my work? That all of my collaborators and clients explicitly ask me about and celebrate my way of seeing the world. This is true across my experiential design studio (AMARIMA), my sculptures (Jenna Mari), and my board of advisors (The Human Board).
What is my idea of happiness? Stargazing somewhere along the Mediterranean late at night in excellent company.
What is my greatest fear? Looking into someone’s eyes and seeing nothing there.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? There’s a perfectionist in me who is brilliant, but she’s also a bit too intense for my liking sometimes.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? As a hotelier, Issy Sharp. As a sculptor, Yayoi Kusama.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Humanity’s ability for selective memory. Specifically – In hospitality: many forget that it’s first about the experience and the people it’s for, then it’s about the bottom line. In art: many forget that art is made for other artists, and that everyone is an artist. In service: many forget that we all are the composite of everyone who has ever loved us, and only focus on mentoring themselves.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?The here and now. I followed my heart in all of my business ventures and I’m working on some incredible projects with people who inspire me.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I’m an evening person, I do my best work late at night. But I wish I was a morning person. There’s this specific kind of magic to the early hours of the day that I rarely see.
What is my greatest achievement in work? That most of my clients at one point or another ask me if we can also be friends.
Where would I most like to live? Exactly where I live in Gràcia, Barcelona.
What is my most treasured possession? Pieces of art I’ve collected from friends around the world.
What is my most marked characteristic? I’m deeply encouraging of the people in my life.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The view from Fundació Joan Miró at sunset.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? A late night falafel wrap at Ashraf’s *Restaurante Bocadillos Express (Shawarma y Falafel)-HALAL stand off Aragó in El Clot. Tell him I sent you. Try his mint tea.
What books influenced my life and how? So many. I’ll give you one for each decade of my life –
In my 30s: The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau
In my 20s: Meditations, A New Translation from 2003 by Marcus Aurelius
As a teen: My quote list. I collected great quotes, one liners, and song lyrics from people I liked. I still have pages and pages of these and now and then read them when I need some extra inspiration.
As a kid: The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day? The voices of people I love. My favorite three songs from each year of my life.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Princess Mononoke.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My sister Lauren and cousin Jonathan.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni and Vincenzo Cerami
What role do stories play in my life and work? We are stories. Life is stories. It’s impossible to separate.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? You write your own dreams into existence.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My grandma Jackie. She’s 95, sharp and sweet, remembers everything I tell her, brightens up any day.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? For AMARIMA: Red Sea Global, Ennismore, The government of Bhutan
For my sculptures: Gagosian
For The Human Board: José Andrés
What project am I looking forward to working on? A series of pop up experiences that I’m designing for AMARIMA.
Where can you see me or my work? hijenna.com and join me and 500 people for coffee as part of my Coffee Club in Barcelona.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? It is so obvious – the person you are, the people and things that you love. All you need to do is show up.
How can you contact me?
jennamatecki.com + send me an email: studio@matecki.co
The Heroine's Journey 