Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adam Hersko-RonaTas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Adam, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Surprises. When you think you know where the path’s headed, you don’t. We’re a wildly adaptive species I think, and our innate kindness and creativity have seen us through dark times, with unexpected twists for the better. Pessimism in the face of obstacles is often anxiety needlessly projecting itself. I’d guess it’s born from an illusion of total control and the fear of losing that. But cynicism is vile, paralyzing, and an enemy of survival. Instead I try to steer toward hope by recognizing the vital difference between acceptance and resignation. Acceptance allows me to address the root of discomfort without necessarily succumbing to it. And at best, fear serves as protective friction, a signal that something must change with increasing urgency. Nature, community, music, and art remind me of boundless possibility and the ongoing lightness of being that thrives regardless of how I perceive my narrow circumstances. Cycles provide hope too because nothing remains stagnant. A cliche yeah, but night is always darkest before dawn.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Filmmaking is the main medium I work with, but drawing, writing, performing, and music also excite me. We’re all lucky to be funneling bits of the universe’s endlessly flowing, unseeable energy in our respective ways. Whatever that source of inspiration produces, we could just as well label “art.” But art-making can be a wonderful justification to not just loosely explore one’s own being, but to teach, or even challenge outdated structures. At a certain level, especially when you start commodifying your work and using more resources, making art becomes a tremendous responsibility, because it’s a way to embody philosophy and literally actualize ways of thinking.
Because of their scale, films especially can ripple through the cultural pond, in both making and sharing. Making films is most rewarding I find, because of the community and collaboration it fosters. The process is about studying something deeply, gathering the right ingredients to express that, finding people on a similar wavelength, and setting off in a direction together. Also you bring a camera with you. I believe strongly that the ends do not justify the means. The ends are born from the means. So a filmmaking process that is mindful of its ripples and embraces the responsibility of investigating emotional and spiritual truths will generate a wave that can shift the tides of thought toward brighter shores.
I feel very fortunate to currently work for Lauren Bon’s Metabolic Studio in downtown LA, where we creatively adapt infrastructure for a changing climate through art. Especially in trying times, art must be for others, and above all, work in alignment with nature.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’m still on this journey, but so far I’d say discernment, humility, and budgeting have been most impactful.
Discernment is sharpened by experience. It’s good to be trusting, but being naive is no good either. Knowing what opportunities will provide a place to grow in alignment with your values is key. Also, don’t confuse tools for craft. Not every opportunity that offers you a chance to use your tools is actually a place to hone your craft. Be selective when you can.
Humility is everything. Not an original take, but stay humble and open to learning from others. Recognize there’s always more to discover. Be grateful, patient, and reciprocate the support of those around you.
Budgeting, both time and money. So many people and companies compete not just for your money, but the limited resource of your attention. I think attention and time are wildly precious. That doesn’t mean wringing out every hour of your day to be “productive” though. Relaxation is essential, just don’t surrender time to distraction unwittingly. And money is made up, but given the current economic system we find ourselves in, ignoring it can hurt. Life isn’t about money at all. It’s a simple tool, not the goal. Find a financial balance that covers your personal idea of “enough” and ignore the rest. If you can, take a job that fulfills your soul, and use your free time to create something meaningful with and for others. That’s how we make a better world.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
It’s great if you can bring something to the table others can’t, and everyone has something or things they’re better cut out for. As you get older, either you figure that out or the world let’s you know what that is. And it’s absolutely worth honing that strength with intention so you can complement the skills of others. But without a well-rounded sturdy base, you’ll stay wobbly. Plus over-specialization creates silos. Diversity, in skill or otherwise, is a source of strength, and a way to bridge those silos. The world doesn’t need everyone to be experts, aside from maybe in land stewardship I’d argue.
Everything is a team sport. Effective teams merge their respective strengths through mindful communication. When one person can’t carry their weight, others pick up the slack. Being an “inspired generalist” means having the attitude that you can always learn more and fill in where needed. It means being purpose-driven. The “how” becomes important only once you’ve established a clear “why.” The “why” comes from exploring and investing in multiple areas of inquiry, not just one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ahrtwork.com
- Instagram: @adamhrrr
Image Credits
Ramiro Duran, Katie Barreira, Matt Twohig, Stefano Galli, Alfred Nomad
