The Pony Insider #1

Hello friends!

We are off to a new year and here is the very first post of our brand new ‘Pony Insider’ series. In the Pony Insider, our ponies will be talking about inspirational things they have seen, read, heard; places they’ve visited and/or events they’ve attended, during the week. We hope those things will inspire you as well.

For our first Pony Insider, our Pony-in-chief Marie is sharing her holidays discoveries. Ready?

#visit

Niki de Saint Phalle exhibition at Le Grand Palais, Paris

Sculptures by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle

I absolutely LOVED the playfulness and beautiful colors in the works of French artist Niki de Saint Phalle exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris. Behind her usual liveliness, Niki delivers a strong political message and advocates for a better world, more peaceful, tolerant, and of course, playful. I also loved her willingness to make art accessible to everyone by creating participatory art installations in public spaces! Niki, you’re so much of a Pink Pony!

#visit

Ghibili Studio’s Exhibition of drawings at Art Ludique-Le Musée, Paris

Drawing from Studio Ghibli @ Art ludique - le musée Paris

(photo: Art ludique - le musée)

Even for a big fan of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s work like me, this exhibition at the Museum of ludic arts that shares and explains Ghibli Studio’s filmmaking process was very enjoyable. The studio is an impressive production engine able to coordinate hundreds of people working towards a common goal, and result that is always faultless, beautiful and meaningful. And for sure Hayao Miyazaki, on the top of being a brilliant artist, is a brilliant businessman!

“In order to grow your audience, you must betray their expectations.”

Hayao Miyazaki

#watch

GOLEM at the Young Vic theatre, London

Goelm @ Young Vic theatre, London (photo: Young Vic theatre)

It’s not only because the brilliant animator behind 1927’s new (amazing) production, GOLEM, is my dear flatmate Paul Barrit, that I have to say that his dear GOLEM is one of the best things I saw last year. All the geniuses behind 1927 manage to make you think about a serious issue, the pervasion of technology devices in our lives, whilst making it fun and very enjoyable. Golem is an honest demonstration that playfulness and art can help you learn new things... sometimes without even noticing it. Brilliant!

GOLEM will be played at the Young Vic theatre until January 31st only. Book now! (And no, this is not a sponsored post, is just an emotional one.)

#read

What board games can teach businesses?

(photo: Harvard Business Review)

In this article, creator of cards games Andrew Innes makes a very interesting case on how playing board games can help individuals build the skills they need to operate effectively in the real world, in daily life and in business. Did you know that Monopoly was intended to be a teaching tool, and that the initial version of the game was known as the ‘Landlord’s Game’? You do now. And if you want to learn more, you know what to do ;)

#try

A 10 days programme of gently and expertly guided meditation you can do at home, by Headspace

The transformative power of meditation by Headspace (photo: Headspace)

After watching this inspiring video from Headspace’s CEO Andy Puddicombe, I’ve started the headspace ‘s 10 mins x 10 days meditation programme. This programme allows you to learn the basics of meditation in only 10 days, and from your home, leading to more mindfulness in your life and work. Lately, I have been interested in mindfulness as a way to better understand and deal with all the emotions that we experience in life, and recently I have started to apply it to my work as well. As I wrote it here, mindfulness helps you understand difficult situations, and to make informed, better decisions for the future in complex times.

“For thousands of years, meditators have claimed many benefits for their practice. Our experience, and that of Headspace members, suggests that regular mindfulness practice, through meditation, is an effective treatment for stress, worry, lack of focus, relationship problems, addictions and more. It leads to peace of mind and wellbeing, greater focus and creativity and better relationships.” Headspace

If you would like to share the things that inspire you with us, please feel free to do so and email, instagram, tweet or facebook us!

#theponyinsider #inspiration