The first General Eclectic periodical publication begins in spring 2025 – a seasonal digest or journal under the title cloud9, which will act as an observer, guide and witness to the state and moral responsibility of humanity in modern times. An ethical and very visual overview of the human condition with a humanist perspective.

The cloud9 printed ‘journal’digest’ will also be presented online with trawled video (YouTube), articles from related media, associations, websites and social discourse with sound bites and motion graphics, it is hoped to set up interactive workshops which would be supported through the cloud9 website, and over time the cloud9 archive would present a trans-media event at large and strategic ‘pop-up’ locations around Europe. The live project’s main feature is local participation in collaboration with nomadic, emerging, professional and established image makers, artists, storytellers, and philosophers, acting on psychology and societal evidence – which aims to engage the local and wider community.

Work produced for the journal, book, interactive website, and trans-media event, along with contributed works will be offered for use in other mediums, on loan, to share, for acquisition and/or content exchange. Being human does not come with an instruction manual, but if it did this project starting with a seasonal periodical may help people to acknowledge and accept the errors of our ways and move to find alternatives

Being human in modern times involves many challenges to our perceptions, emotions, sensory capacities, and the interactions that shape our personalities and character. It is an ever-changing, overwhelming narrative that requires our constant physical, mental, and emotional attention, especially with the advent of social media, incessant and manipulative marketing, and the influence of popular idols and corrupted leadership.

In this 21st century we now have the ability to communicate and express ourselves as never before, through language, art, and various forms of creative expression with the help of communications technologies and new media and within a more connected world society. We have built-in and natural curiosity, and a strong desire to explore and understand the world around us when we are free to do so.

We seek knowledge, meaning, and personal growth through self-awareness, consciousness, and the ability to reason and make choices. We experience a range of emotions, from joy and love to sadness and fear. We have the capacity to form deep connections and relationships with others, to feel empathy and compassion, and to experience a sense of belonging and purpose, but in current circumstances we tend to forget or shy away from these positive traits.

And being human is tough going, we face adversity, pain, and loss, and must navigate through challenging relationships, societal expectations, and the ever-changing nature of living on a planet always in motion. Our experiences and interactions shape our perspectives, beliefs, and values, influencing our identity and the many choices we must make.

Being a modern human is a very personal journey, that we must make and take together, and which is unique to each and every individual, having their own personalised version of reality or ‘truth’. It is a continuing expedition of self-discovery, growth, and the pursuit of wellbeing, contentment, and a meaningful life.

Imagery and visual narratives would reflect, record, observe and present, our common experience across generations, gender, culture and society. It is hoped that the annual travelling exhibition will evolve to show seasonally in different cities each year from 2025.

Nomadic and virtual happenings of this kind bring together objects and works collected, and can complement a carefully curated and themed central archive and catalogue. Artworks that depict, challenge, or symbolise social themes and topics, to reconstruct and observe original contexts, perspectives, and alternatives – all of which will give new insights and new ways of understanding human nature in the 21st century. 

It is intended that being and cloud9 will become a series of virtual and nomadic workshops in Barcelona and Dublin to compile, curate, and prepare content, commissions, works and presentations for the archive, catalogue and trans-media exhibiting events.

The preparatory process will include the online and print publication of a catalogue in the form of an art book, and a periodical digest or less formal ‘fanzine’ which could interpret and promote upcoming developments and events as well as inform and highlight topical social contexts and events. These would include biographies, themes, trends, processes, mediums, and concepts, as well as examples and procedures of the curated works and their origins.

Content will include experimental artworks, and conceptual work using familiar arts media, and will feature sensory works using sound, light, smell, and feel. Creative photography, motion graphics, illustrated and voiced texts, collaborative art projects, social aesthetics and celebration, abstract observation and visualised thinking will all be part of the experience and ‘tell’ of past, present and future humanities. 

The curated content will be locally identified and revised as it visits individual cities. Cultural sponsorship and support from ethical, local and multi-national stakeholders will be sought by way of workshops and cultural hosts and institutions, providing audience, congregation and cultural appreciation – carefully curated for everyone to experience, learn and enjoy.

Some of the work will be for sale with proceeds after costs going back to the artists and/or to non-profit community development, cultural charities, and local community arts workshops at each location.