danielincandela.com

Another installment of the slow moving May I present to you series, my way of highlighting people I admire, such as writers, photographers, travelers, designers and web movers-and-shakers. Despi Ross fits into all of those categories – in addition to another category, best friend.

Me and Despi at Club Havana in Paris

I’ve had the honor of working with Despi at two places – the Indiana State Museum and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. At the State Museum she was a tour de force. At the IMA she helped push the museum into the digital world with work that resulted in many awards and the plaudits from other museums. Along the way I was there as a colleague and friend. We argued, collaborated, pushed one another, laughed a lot, traveled all over the world, and became a dynamic duo.  My career would not be where it is today without her. My life would not be as rich. Despi has become family – not just my friend, but also Lea’s. Oliver even tries to say her name.

That’s one layer. There are many more.

(more…)

Filed under: May I present to you by Daniel
No Comments »

I worked at an art museum. Now I work at a race track and for a racing series. They seem very opposite and I catch people off guard when I reveal anything about my career. There are many differences. There are many similarities. But all in all, it’s incredibly different.

I loved my time in the museum field. I will always look back with fond memories and understand that it was a critical period of my professional life. It was a time to make mistakes, learn, take risks and importantly, deliver success. But I don’t miss it. I left at the perfect time.

Before I left I got to present in New Zealand

There are considerable differences between the museum field and the for-profit racing industry. In my current role, ‘more’ comes to mind. More projects, more content, more deadlines, more expectations, more opportunities and so on. These are all good challenges. I’m in a smaller team but with more resources. More/larger departments to interact with, across more companies and stakeholders, more collaborative relationships with drivers, teams, race tracks and sponsors. More. In fact, I’ve never seen so much content in my life. Speed comes to mind too – which is an obvious parallel to draw, but it’s true. Everything happens in a New York Minute. In the museum field, I remember working with exhibition calendars planned 3 years out. In racing, we have that kind of planning, but there’s also intermediate, current, pressing and last minute schedules. It’s an amazing juggling act that is sometimes smooth as glass and sometimes rough as sandpaper.And when you work online, you have to respond instantly. I’ve never worked so many hours in my life, or been awake and such strange times. I’ve slept with my laptop countless times, sat in a million meetings, traveled at the drop of a hat, over committed, barely hit (and missed) deadlines, consumed lots of energy drinks and so on.

You can catch me in the mirror

The bigger the challenge the greater the reward. That’s what I love about this job. As a museum professional, I felt a similar objective – be the best, be innovative, develop projects that would change the field, be immensely proud. I did all of these things. Which is why I can look back with no regrets. It was an incredible career.

(more…)

Filed under: Random by Daniel
No Comments »

The first 5 months of 2011 have been relentless. It feels like early June has been the first time I’ve been able to catch my breath, both personally and professionally. Personally, I’ve concentrated on being home, making my son laugh and eating lots of dessert. Professionally, it’s been a combination of reflection and planning. It’s analysis of what has worked, what hasn’t and what needs more attention. It’s recognizing opportunities, potential for growth, and making decisions. It’s the natural evolution of a job, the building of a career. As I realize I’m in mid-career now, I understand this process repeats.

A snapshot of my current job

And that’s where I am right now.

(more…)

Filed under: Random by Daniel
No Comments »

I got into the museum field by way of jazz. It’s seems unlikely, but it’s true. And lately, I’ve been thinking about paths and how they lead. Sometimes it’s an experience of a lifetime. Sometimes it’s a tough learning experience. In the case of jazz, it lead to a wonderful journey through the quirky museum world.

After years of hip-hop and reggae, I started to listen to jazz my final year at IUPUI. During this time period, I was fascinated by the Harlem Renaissance and the writings of Langston Hughes and obsessed with surrealism and the automatic writing of Andre Breton.  Free flowing, stream of consciousness jazz was an obvious next step.

So instead of writing a paper for my senior thesis in anthropology, I decided to create an exhibition at the IUPUI library on Historic Ransom Place and The Avenue.

Historic Ransom Place = African-American neighborhood near IUPUI.

The Avenue = Indiana Avenue, which runs along IUPUI and Ransom Place, and features a rich jazz history.

Somehow, they came together in a fairly cohesive way.

Pretty basic, but still proud

(more…)

Filed under: Random by Daniel
2 Comments »

What’s your favorite place? Your favorite travel destination? It’s a good question.

Cuba always ranks very high on my list. The Island is stunning. The culture is intricate. The cigars are worth it. The imagery is unforgettable. And the lodging can be….worthy of a blog post.

Why did I go? To make a long story short, it was in support of an exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I shot video, conducted interviews, attended a Rumba, and met lots of people. Some video below from ArtBabble.

But enough about that. How was Cuba? Here goes.

I fully prepared for this trip. I researched the country, this history, the politics, the you-name-it. I read about Ernest Hemingway in Cuba and determined I would follow some of his footsteps in Havana. I even brought Old Man and the Sea with me.

But of course I was not prepared.

(more…)

Filed under: Travel by Daniel
3 Comments »