Permanent evolution: Interview with Cecilia Tham
On her social media profiles, Cecilia Tham describes herself simply as «earthling», a rather appropriate adjective for someone who is difficult to pigeonhole and who has lived halfway around the world.
His career is impossible to summarise in just a few characters. Her curriculum includes degrees in architecture from Harvard University and biology from Emory University (Atlanta), and that is only the beginning. The professional life of this creative, creative and entrepreneur has no beginning and no end, it is a career in constant evolution where elements such as innovation and technology stand out. As part of our series of interviews, Cecilia Tham gives us an overview of his latest projects and opens the doors to the jungle of his home.
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation come from?
Uff... Difficult, because it is not singular, it has evolved. From my studies in biology and architecture, to the experience of moving from one country to another. It has been an accumulation of all my experiences, interests and skills. Right now I am a “synthesist” (a person who combines several things to create something new, the opposite of an “analyst”) and a “social technologist” (a person who looks for technological solutions to solve social challenges). These are not typical vocations, because what I do are not typical jobs. I had to invent them myself.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and is there anything you are particularly proud of?
I love to create and this can be an app, a website, a design, a business... Everything I do makes me ten times happier if it has a positive impact on someone else. And if I can change the life of one person, or ten million people, then that makes me happy. From MOB (a community of makers), allwomen.tech (the women's technology school), through to FabCafe (which today is manufacturing PPE for hospitals) and my latest venture in Futurity Studio, It all makes me feel proud to be able to apply my skills to help other people.
What is your creative process like? What are your sources of inspiration?
For me it's something continuous, it's not something premeditated. I don't have a formula.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order!
Prisma (technically not a colour, but I don't have a favourite).
Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka (published in Spain by Alianza Editorial).
In the Mood for Love, by Wong Kar Wai.
Nina Simone.
Is your home a reflection of who you are, do you have a favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, and do you treasure a collection?
My garden and my plants! I have a “greenhouse” in my flat where there are a lot of plants. It's my jungle.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
I want a huge signature rug (4m x 4m), more like a work of art, to put in the middle of the living room.
A great plan at home always includes...
Wine and friends.
Do you have a signature dish?
Mango chicken curry.
What is your favourite place in your city?
Stroll through the Gothic Quarter around the cathedral and the Santa Caterina market.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
I love to do “inconspicuous cosplay”, that is when you do cosplay but it's not very visible. For example, I dress up as Harry Potter but in normal clothes and minimally, just enough to give a touch of Harry Potter vibe without revealing myself.
