mF Dynamics and The Experience Alchemists
Have you heard the latest TEA? Not familiar with TEA? TEA actually stands for The Experience Alchemists, an organization that creates unique experiences out of collaboration with a roster of diverse creative partners, ranging from visual artists, poets, chefs, musicians, and MF Dynamics! TEA’s clients include non-profits, companies, municipalities, and individuals, and their work revolves around the question, “Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have a group of leading creative minds make something special just for you? What would it look like, sound like, smell like, taste like? How would it feel?”
Maria recently sat down with one of TEA’s co-founders and principal owners, Annie Lundsten, for a wide-ranging interview. They spoke at length about the idea of inspiration, and how different projects are dreamt up. Maria says:
“...I always need a story or a seed or a building or a park or a history or a poem. I feel that my compositions or improvisations always come from something that is more tangible or visual or in the world...I’m always aligning whatever thing, whatever musical experience I’m creating, to something that is visual.”
On the topic of audience perception, Maria is “really attracted to ephemeral work because I like the opportunity to create memory that has a finite space.” Annie and Maria spent some time discussing her background and life as a percussionist, and how her years of creating unique instrument set-ups has given her an almost innate “comfort with creating, figuring it out, troubleshooting.” [Author’s note: as a fellow percussionist, I could not agree more!]
Annie and Maria rounded out their conversation with a discussion of collaboration, something that is very critical to the work of both MF Dynamics, and TEA. On working with others, Maria, “...want[s] to work with people that can bring skills, perspectives, and history that are different from my own to then expand what I think could even be possible.”
MF Dynamics is thrilled to partner with such an eclectic and engaging cohort of creative partners that not only generates unique experiences for their clients, but whose spirit is grounded in altruism via their firm belief in racial equity; diversity, inclusion and accessibility; environmental sustainability; and love and respect. TEA is a value-based public benefit corporation, meaning a percentage of the profit from every project they create is used to develop free experiences for people, organizations, or communities who can’t afford them. Knowing that any projects MF Dynamics is a part of with TEA will be the seed for a future project for audiences who may not otherwise have access to such work is reason enough to be excited about this partnership. Check out the interview in its entirety, and be sure to read up on the incredible work TEA is doing.
TEA Founders Ed Rodley, Annie Lundsten, and Jim Olson. Photo by Bob Packert.
