Embrace the Shake

How can physical limitations drive creativity and innovation? 

Taking on the idea of Re•Purpose in a new and innovative way, KANEKO and Applied Underwriters, Omaha’s premier employer invite you to join in an evening of creative discussion and interactive art-making with internationally recognized multimedia artist Phil Hansen.

As an art student, Hansen’s intense style of pointillism led to a tremor in his hand and a diagnosis of nerve damage. Devastated, he discontinued his pursuit of art, until a neurologist suggested he “embrace the shake.” That piece of advice sent Phil on a quest to invent different approaches to making art by embracing personal and universal limitations.

Working with a broad array of mediums such as vinyl records, tree branches, and chocolate chips, Hansen has re-invented what pointillism is within his creative process and offers an inspirational and unique perspective on the re-purposing of material and thought all in one.

Hansen has spoken at TEDTalk 2013 Conference and the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and has been featured on PBS, BBC, CNN, and the Discovery Channel. Phil was the official artist for 51st Grammy Awards and has had works commissioned by Disney, The Rockefeller Foundation, Skype, Mazda, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. His work is now on exhibit at KANEKO through August 24, 2019.

About Phil Hansen: Phil Hansen is an internationally recognized multimedia artist, speaker, author, and innovator known for crashing irreverently through conventional boundaries. He is widely known for his videos that document the creative process showing millions that art is action, not just result, and that restrictions can spur innovation rather than constrain it. Hansen is the founder of Goodbye Art Academy, providing high quality and free art education videos to teachers and students everywhere. For more information, please visit Philinthecircle.com.

About Applied Underwriters: Applied Underwriters, Omaha’s premier employer, is proud to support KANEKO’s Great Minds Lecture Series. The company is a leading provider of insurance and business services, serving thousands of customers nationwide. Applied’s operations campus is located in Omaha and currently employs nearly 700 people. Applied is dedicated to the presentation of public discourse on topics of high intellectual interest and impact. For more information, please visit auw.com.

About the GREAT MINDS Lecture Series: The GREAT MINDS Lecture Series highlights innovators and original thought leaders in fields relevant to KANEKO programs. This unique lecture series engages KANEKO members and visitors with “Great Minds” who are established and recognized by their peers within their respective fields or disciplines. Whether science, philosophy, or the arts, Great Minds speakers have demonstrated leadership within their fields and have a record of outstanding creativity and innovation. Great Minds speakers embody a creative philosophy that aligns directly with the mission of KANEKO focused on creative investigation.