Entries by Viktor Kopic (103)

Monday
Jan142013

Spotlight: Vox Public Relations Coordinator!

Introducing Kara Wong, Vox Culture's Public Relations Coordinator! As we seek to develop our communications and increase our presence, Kara is our go to person to reach out to artists and find creative ways to communicate with the general public. Follow the on-going developments at Vox and see how Kara is helping our "voice" expand!

I was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Plano, Texas for the majority of my years until moving away to attend college at Texas A&M in College Station. For the years I’ve been here, I’ve come to love Aggieland. I’m currently a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in New Media Art. I originally started on the Biomedical Science route to Veterinary School; however, my passions were more with communications among people. There are always ways to improve human interaction as long as we have open minds. Creative methods of public and personal relations break international barriers, so I think it’s definitely worth it to advance ideas similar to that of Vox Culture’s.

What is your favorite ice cream? Mango and green tea! I’ve loved mango anything ever since I was a kid; being slightly allergic never stopped me. I’m always excited to go to Hong Kong since almost all desserts have a twist of mango. I started loving green tea ice cream after working at a Japanese and Korean restaurant. Sadly, tasty green tea ice cream is hard to come by.

What is your mode of transportation? I have the typical Toyota Camry; however, my preferred mode of transportation is motorcycle. Growing up, I always thought it’d be fun to learn how to ride, especially since I really liked “Gone in 60 Seconds” and the Fast and Furious series. I didn’t get the chance to ride until a year and a half ago. Usually people say that once you start learning, you can either fall in love or not care much for it. Although getting started was slightly nerve racking, I came to love the feeling of the wind through my hair.

Which form of art is your favorite? I enjoy photography, graphic art, and dance, but when it comes down to it, music is my favorite form of art. Just like most Asians, my parents started me on piano when I was young. I picked up violin in middle school, soon dropping piano; and when high school hit, I continued orchestra but also started learning drum set. This was the instrument I enjoyed the most. I played with good friends at church for our youth worship team at least one if not two or three times a week. The beat of the drums just had something that soothed my mind; I don’t think I ever was too musically coordinated with my fingers anyway. Music seems to open up the soul regardless of language.

What intrigues you about humanity? I’m always fascinated by how different everyone is. Everyone comes from different cultures, different families, different experiences; and for some reason, everyone is still able to relate on the simplest aspects of life. The brokenness humanity has from the ups and downs of life make humanity even more beautiful. Keeping an open mind is a must, though definitely easier said than done. Effective communication opens many doors and serves as the bridge that connects people all over the world.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Flight. Teleportation is a more efficient way of transportation than flight, but why not enjoy the journey—the feeling of being as free as a bird within a more natural way of things. I’ve always looked up at the sky in awe, whether it be the beauty in the sunrise or sunset, the clouds, or the stars in the night sky. To be just that much closer to magnificence would be breathtaking, and of course, it’d be a whole different story than being in an airplane. 

Friday
Jan112013

January Newsletter: Welcome 2013!

a. Immigration Trimester
b. Partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance
c. 1/19 "Voices of the Spirit"
d. "Winding Road: My Immigration Story" by Viktor Kopic
e. 1/25 "Jump into 2013" @ Sky High Sports


Welcome 2013! The year has only started but it's already shaping up to be an exciting one! Check out some of the amazing things we have coming up for our first trimester of the year on Immigration!
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a. Immigration Trimester

For the first trimester of 2013, Vox Culture has turned its focus towards addressing the topic of Immigration. Addressing the issue of Immigration after closing out 2012’s third trimester with the issue of Refugees is a great leeway, given that both of these issues – while different – have similarities as well. While certain events surrounding Immigration will be conducted in collaboration with the Houston Arts Alliance, there are several Vox events in the works that you will be hearing more about in the coming months... so stay tuned!

Click here to learn more about the link between Immigration and Refugees.

b. Partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance

Vox Culture will be taking on the role of Cultural and Community Collaborator for the Houston Arts Alliance, during the Remembered, Regained: Immigrant Arts of Houston series. The goal of the series is to celebrate the rich artistic and cultural traditions that reside in Houston’s immigrant communities. The Remembered, Regained series is comprised of numerous programs, including concerts, workshops, panel discussions, lectures and an exhibition, focusing on the music, visual culture and oral traditions of the diverse communities that exist in Houston. The Remembered, Regained series "addresses the way in which these various art forms connect communities to their homeland and aid them in creating a new life for themselves in this city."

Events:

Voices of the Spirit
January 19, Saturday @ 7:30PM / January 20, Sunday @ 3:00PM
Asia Society Texas Center
(Two Sacred Music Concerts)

Telling the Immigrant Story
February 13, Wednesday @ 6:30PM
H.M.A.A.C. (Houston Museum of African American Culture)
(Panel Discussion)

Houston’s Immigrant Advantage
February 27, Wednesday @ 6:30PM
Asia Society Texas Center
(Lecture with Stephen Klineberg + Claudia Kolker)

The Language of Lullabies
March 2, Saturday @ 3:00PM
Children's Museum of Houston
(A Musical Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!
March 23, Saturday @ 6:30PM
TBH Center at Guadalupe Plaza Park
(Cuban Music/Concert + Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!
April 13, Saturday @ 6:30PM
MECA Outdoor Pavillion
(Colombian Music/Concert + Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!
May 18, Saturday @ 6:30PM
5th Ward Jam Outdoor Stage
(Garifuna Music/Concert + Workshop)

Anointed and Adorned
Thursday, May 23 – Friday, July 12
HAA - Alliance Gallery
(Indian Weddings in Houston, Exhibition)

Click here to obtain more information from the HAA on the Remembered, Regained: Immigrant Arts of Houston series, and to also see event details.

c. 1/19 "Voices of the Spirit" & Dinner @ Istanbul Grill & Deli

You are invited! On Saturday, January 19, come join us for dinner at Istanbul Grill & Deli (5613 Morningside Drive) followed by our visit to the Asia Society Texas Center (1370 Southmore Boulevard) to view the first event of HAA's Remembered, Regained series. The Voices of the Spirit is a concert celebrating devotional music from Houston's diverse immigrant communities. Styles that will be showcased include Sikh Kirtans, Sufi Songs, Nigerian Praise, Vietnamese Choral Music and Carnatic Ragas.

  • Dinner at Istanbul Grill & Deli will take place at 5:30PM
  • Voices of the Spirit will take place at Asia Society Texas Center at 7:30PM


Voices of the Spirit - Banner (980x450) v2

In order to ensure you a FREE seat at Voices of the Spirit, please RSVP with Viktor Kopic at viktor.kopic@voxculture.org by Thursday, January 17, at 1:00PM.

d. "Winding Road: My Immigration Story" by Viktor Kopic

Over the month on January, Vox's Research & Development Coordinator, Viktor Kopic, will be posting a three-part series of weekly blogs titled, Winding Road: My Immigration Story, that are meant to introduce the audience to the issue immigration. The series of blogs are a personal glimpse to his story as an immigrant to the United States. Winding Road: My Immigration Story seeks to raise awareness of how the issue of immigration is not as black and white as it seems, and that there is a large grey area surrounding the topic that many people are unaware of.

To follow this series of blogs, check the Vox Culture website or our FaceBook page on the following dates:

  • Part I: Wednesday, January 16
  • Part II: Wednesday, January 23
  • Part III: Wednesday, January 30


window porch croatia 1 2

Click here to read the introduction to the series of Winding Road: My Immigration Story.

e. 1/25 "Jump into 2013" @ Sky High Sports

Maybe the holidays brought great times and some stress... why not burn some of that stress off by jumping into 2013! On Friday, January 25, Vox Culture invites you to come out to Sky High Sports (10510 Westview Drive) beginning at 6:30PM for some pizza and high flying fun!

Sky High

To attend this event please RSVP with Linda Fox at linda.fox@voxculture.org.

Wednesday
Jan092013

Save the Date! "Voices of the Spirit"

A concert celebrating devotional music from the city's diverse immigrant communities. Styles include Sikh Kirtans, Sufi Songs, Nigerian Praise, Vietnamese Choral Music and Carnatic Ragas.

Presented by

Houston Arts Alliance Folklife + Traditional Arts Program, in partnership with Asia Society Texas Center

  • 7:30PM, Saturday, 19 January
  • 3:00PM, Sunday, 20 January

Asia Society Texas Center

1370 Southmore Blvd.

FREE with a reservation!

For reservations, email Sarah Hua at shua@asiasociety.org.

Houston Arts Alliance's Folklife + Traditional Arts Program will present two performances of sacred music from Houston's Sufi, Sikh, Nigerian and Vietnamese faith communities. Both performances feature the same program.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

This concert marks the third annual Voices of the Spirit concert presented by HAA's Folklife Program and features devotional music from the city's diverse immigrant communities. Voices of the Spirit kicks off six months of workshops and programs entitled Remembered, Regained: Immigrant Arts of Houston, celebrating the rich artistic and cultural traditions that reside in the Houston's immigrant communities.

Tuesday
Jan082013

Introducing Vox's upcoming Series of Blogs, "Winding Road: My Immigration Story" by Viktor Kopic

Over the month on January, I will be posting a three-part series of weekly blogs meant to introduce the audience to the issue our first trimester of 2013 will be focusing on, immigration. The series of blogs are a personal glimpse to my story as an immigrant to the United States, which some of you reading this might share as well. While there are many reasons why I took the time to write this series of blogs, none of them have anything to do with looking for self pity and are not intended for pushing any sort of political agenda.

If anything, this series of blogs is to raise awareness amongst you all of how the issue of immigration is not black and white, as many of us are led to believe… there’s a large grey area that most do not know about and I and my family are just one of the many of existing cases that are affected by this large grey clout. The process of applying for a legal status, citizenship, and the like, within the U.S. does not just involve a sheet of paper or a stamp saying whether you have been approved or denied. It is a long and tedious process involving lawyers, numerous documents, and potentially large expenses, that can take years to complete and can have serious hurdles and effects on individuals and entire families. The issue of immigration has long been held hostage by political bickering and while certain efforts have been made to reform and tackle the issue, immigration has remained a taboo subject in what is ironically a nation mostly MADE of immigrants.

If I were to give my main reason as to why I wrote these blogs it's because I wanted to take the opportunity to remind everyone of the human side of this topic, which in a period of ideological divisions, many people have either forgotten about or chosen to ignore. While certain points and views will become clearer once the upcoming blogs are posted on the Vox website and on FaceBook, the following should be seen as a summary of what to expect, hear more of, as well as my general opinion of the overall immigrant experience from my eyes.              

   If I could sum up my experience in the U.S. so far in one word, I do not believe it would be one that would be appropriate from a professional stance. While many immigrants do go through the process without any problems and are able to live their lives normally, I would have to say that I have not had that luxury. While I do consider myself fortunate in so many other ways (having food, shelter, etc), when it comes to aspects such as having the freedom to choose where you want to work and what you want to pursue, the freedom to fly and go where you want without facing the possibility of being detained and questioned, or the ability to just be yourself without having to pose the question “Am I allowed to do this? Or will I be breaking the law?” are just some of the things I have had to endure or live without.

Docked at a port and learning "how to sweep", during my days sailing on the ship with my father. 

In big part, because of the existing immigration system (and also thanks to what were supposed to be “excellent” lawyers), I’ve not been back “home” in just over a decade nor have been able to leave the country for nearly the last five years. The reason that I put “home” in quotes is because in fact, while I was born in Croatia, my entire life I’ve spent travelling and living abroad; on top of the fact that I have now literally lived over half of my life in the United States.

 With my mother in the water during some beach-time in Croatia, then-Yugoslavia.

The only home I have really ever known has been my family. In what is supposed to be the “land of the free” I have found myself imprisoned within these borders with my fate, and that of my family, out of our hands and out of our control. While it might not be a “big deal” to some, I’ve missed one of my cousin’s weddings and haven’t had the chance to get acquainted with many other of my relatives (given that the last time I’ve really hung out with any of them I was a child).

With some of my cousins in Mauritius, I'm on the top step. 

The most personal however has always been not being able to attend my grandfather’s funeral. Had I left the U.S. and tried to come back with my current status, I would likely be questioned, be treated as a suspect, been seen as violating my status, and likely be officially kicked out; because again, the system only sees the world in black and white.

  (Above) Sitting on my grandfather's lap during my 1 year old birthday celebration, having my first sip of beer... a tradition going back generations in my family. (Below) Among the last pictures of my grandfather and grandmother together, before he passed away.  

In sum, the current system and the issues of immigration that have come up for me have put numerous road blocks in my life, taken away golden opportunities, slowed down other aspects I once had planned, destroyed friendships and relationships, and has also been a tool for others to use against me for their own professional advantage. While by this point you are probably thinking that the upcoming blogs will be “Debbie Downer”-ish as it gets, I’d say you’re probably right, but it is a picture of the reality many others such as my family face in this country.

Despite this, while I may have lost many things along the way, I have gained so much more as well – such as appreciating everyday life and the individuals I meet along the way. In many ways, while in the short term I may have been weakened before, I feel stronger and more determined now more than ever, because at the end of the day I have learned that these bumps are exactly what they are… bumps; but it is a bump worth knowing about and asking questions of how to fix it. The U.S. immigration system can be fixed; it just takes the will, determination and the power of voice to do so.

Monday
Jan072013

Houston Arts Alliance Presents "Remembered, Regained" Series 

As the Immigration trimester begins to take shape, Vox has numerous events coming up that will be addressing this issue. Some of these experiences will be conducted in partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance. Over the next few months over the trimester, Vox Culture will be taking on the role of Community and Cultural Collaborator for the HAA’s Remembered, Regained: The Immigrant Arts of Houston series.

The Remembered, Regained series, focuses on the rich musical, visual, and oral traditions of Houston’s diverse cultural communities and the various art forms that connect them to their homeland, contributing to the vibrancy of this city. These will be showcased through a string of events including concerts, workshops, panel discussions, lectures and an exhibition.

Please join us for the upcoming experiences:

EVENTS:

Voices of the Spirit

January 19, Saturday @ 7:30PM / January 20, Sunday @ 3:00PM

Asia Society Texas Center

(Two Sacred Music Concerts)

Telling the Immigrant Story

February 13, Wednesday @ 6:30PM

H.M.A.A.C. (Houston Museum of African American Culture)

(Panel Discussion)

Houston’s Immigrant Advantage

February 27, Wednesday @ 6:30PM

Asia Society Texas Center

(Lecture with Stephen Klineberg + Claudia Kolker)

The Language of Lullabies

March 2, Saturday @ 3:00PM

Children's Museum of Houston

(A Musical Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!

March 23, Saturday @ 6:30PM

TBH Center at Guadalupe Plaza Park

(Cuban Music/Concert + Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!

April 13, Saturday @ 6:30PM

MECA Outdoor Pavillion

(Colombian Music/Concert + Workshop)

¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tres!

May 18, Saturday @ 6:30PM

5th Ward Jam Outdoor Stage

(Garifuna Music/Concert + Workshop)

Anointed and Adorned

Thursday, May 23 – Friday, July 12

HAA - Alliance Gallery 

(Indian Weddings in Houston, Exhibition)

 

For more information on the Remembered, Regained: Immigrant Arts of Houston series, please visit HAA's website using the following link: http://www.houstonartsalliance.com/folklife/rememberedregained/