"The Substance of Zero"
MIAMI NEW TIMES
Who is Zero? Zero is the character born out of my show UP WAKE. Throughout the four years of development, Zero became a person and not just a character in a play.
Zero does not speak, is neither man or woman. Zero is Zero, a little hero of the 21st Century, and Zero can touch so many more people than I possibly could.
I hope you'll enjoy the many 'Ventures of Zero.
ZERO'S iGREEN CAMPAIGN
React with Zero
In 2006, Zero launched its first iGreen campaign "React with Zero", inviting friends and fans to turn off their electricity every Sunday from 7:53 to 8:00 p.m.
As the online campaign grew, Zero was invited to participate at various events supporting environmental organizations including the Environmental Coalition Of Miami & The Beaches, Green Planet Search (the first environmentally friendly search engine), Zero Footprint, Green Art Fair USA, Earth Dance and Art Basel.
Here is the first newsletter Zero and I wrote that may shine light on the why.
(written in 2006)
Dear Friends, Up Wakers and Zeronomers,
Why do I do what I do? Why Zero? Why is Zero Green? Why why why?
Fast forwarding through a childhood blessed with walks across the park, forests and rivers in the company of a man who loved unconditionally and taught me to respect nature, my Grandfather - a devoted biologist who stopped his research to start the first Swiss Resistance Reseau to fight World War II - I remember … devotedly collecting my monthly World Wildlife Fund animal cards of endangered species. I remember my best friends Eclair and Tonerre, both horses, both imaginary.
Here we are together, now.
A couple of events recently snowballed and created a deep sense of urgency, like an alarm clock I could no longer snooze. After watching Mr. Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, I stepped out in a different reality than the one I had walked into. The next day, called Florida Power & Light, enrolled in its solar powered program ("sunshine plan"), called my building about recycling, called the city, the city of Miami Beach, and called the city again…. Waited, held, pressed pound, waited again, and while waiting, bought Luna, my bicycle. There now are recycling bins in my building. Did I do it? I think it was all of us calling. Shortly after, a dear friend and brilliant designer, Jay Orozco, took me to see Leonardo di Caprio’s “The 11th Hour”. I was speechless. Disturbed. Overwhelmed. We left. We walked. We sat. We thought “What are we going to do?”
This movement. Zero’s request, this iGreen Campaign is not a marketing ploy. It is whole heartedly self produced, it is honest, it asks nothing from you, other than a little willingness to try something that may change the way you see tomorrow.
What does Zero want? Zero wants to build a solar powered Light Bulb Cemetery. Zero wants to organize eco-friendly performance installations in the city. High tech spectacles traveling from school to school educating the children of today for the world of tomorrow. And Zero wants to go to the moon.
These ideas are ours. They are not copyrighted. If you can do it first. Than do it.
We have to start somewhere. For us, for the parks, the forest, the rivers, the horses, the real and the imaginary, for the endangered species, for the walks with our grandparents, for the respect and love we should all have for each other, and nature.
I invite you all to join ZERO into this switch.
It is not just about 7 minutes.
But what these 7 minutes trigger.
You might just think twice about
Your garbage, your driving, your electricity…
It is a journey of awakening… Up Wakening
It is happening
Here. Now
Sincerely,
ZERO and Natasha
Lead Campaign Designed by Jay Orozco and Natasha Tsakos
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ZERO'S iDREAM CAMPAIGN
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Campaign Designed by Jay Orozco
iDream
iDream is a simple campaign giving power, time and space to Dreams, often forgotten in the kingdom of sleep.
iDream launched November 3rd 2007, as part of Sleepless Night Festival.
LET'S DREAM TOGETHER
LET'S DREAM ALONE
LET'S DREAM TO DREAM
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Dreams Released
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ZERO COMICS
Designed by Melissa Camic, Produced and Conceptualized by Natasha Tsakos with Ralph de la Portilla
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ZERO COASTER
Embark on an epic intimate rollercoaster ride with Zero, traveling at high speeds throughout the Magic City!
An immersive sensation celebrating Miami's 111 Anniversary, happening July 28, 2007 at the José Martí Building. An evening curated by Octavio Campos. The ride runs every 10 minutes.
"The lunacy erupts tonight, featuring a hive of Miami’s edgiest talent"
MIAMI NEW TIMES
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ZERO FOR PRESIDENT
Zero's Constitution
Afewideasfromnowinaconstantstateof c h a n g e
REGARDING SCHOOLS:
One day, children will design and build their own schools,
developing craftsmanship, understanding responsibility and
learning how to apply the disciplines of: architecture, masonry,
carpentry and biology. Once built, Children will explore ethereal
studies such as literature, philosophy and history. Schools will be roofless, opening a conscious awareness of the natural environment, and facilitating the study of meteorology and astronomy at night.
REGARDING EDUCATION:
Nobody will tell you what or how to think,
instead will give you the tools to enhance
and expand your mental potential.
You will prove the box is round with knowledge,
imagination, audacity and with the mind of an explorer.
REGARDING RULES AND GOVERNMENT:
We will assume responsibility for our actions, and will not be told what to do.
REGARDING RACE, CULTURE, AND GENDER:
Are not the defining factor of who we are. Simply a trait. Like the color of one’s hair.
REGARDING BORDERS:
We are the new interwebbed generation. Manmade borders are artificial and illusory.
REGARDING THEATRE:
(This regard may be particularly personal and biased) Is a high form of communication that transcends language, and should be used to communicate complex concepts and ideas in an entertaining way.
REGARDING ART:
Is a trajectory where the arrival is experienced by the spectator.
REGARDING SPACE:
Should be explored with great care, and occupied once humans have become intelligent, naturally responsible and socially aware. Like having babies.
REGARDING BABIES:
See regarding space.
REGARDING ANIMALS:
The greatest feats of science are made possible
by studying animals’ advanced built-in capabilities.
It is therefore curious we should treat them as pets,
or question their equal or perhaps above human intelligence.
REGARDING OWNING PETS:
Another form of slavery, as loving as the relationship may be.
REGARDING BASIC NECESSITIES:
Water, Organic Food, and Land will be free. Humans will pay for their superficial needs, only.
REGARDING WORK:
The notion of work will become obsolete, as computers will undertake all humans’ redundant labor, leaving time for humans to explore a deeper potential.
REGARDING MASSES:
There is power in the act of synchronizing positive intentions and actions. i.e: switching to alternative energy sources, etc. There is danger in adopting any group’s belief out of pressure, fashion, or loneliness without being fully informed.
REGARDING INSTITUTIONS:
Will not have roofs and will re-question their purpose and practice frequently.
REGARDING DOMESTIC APPLIANCES:
Choose what you accept in your daily life carefully. Beware of what you consume and accept as a harmless and practical domestic tool.
REGARDING SPORTS AND MENTAL GYMNASTICS:
We will find an equilibrium between the body’s flexibility and that of the mind. The Greeks understood that concept 2800 years ago.
REGARDING COMMUNICATION:
Be meaningful.
REGARDING GOSSIPS:
Are for the weak of character.
REGARDING BELIEFS:
Beliefs are only points of view capturing an immediate impression.
REGARDING CIRCUSES (without animals):
Experience it at least once in your lifetime.
REGARDING LAUGHTER:
Should be practiced more often. Working out would then become trivial.
REGARDING THE ABSOLUTE:
One should be opened to change and abandon old beliefs.
REGARDING DEATH:
Let’s not fear what we don’t know.
REGARDING FEAR:
Unnecessary.
REGARDING ANGER:
Let it go. It is temporary, futile and absurd.
REGARDING LIFE:
We will not talk about it, but live it.
REGARDING US:
There are 13.3 billion* eyes on this planet. What do we see?
REGARDING ALL LIVING THINGS:
Vegetal, mineral, animal, human or micro-macro-scopical. They, We, live.
REGARDING ZOOS:
If we wish to observe animals, we should do so in their natural environment.
REGARDING ARCHITECTURE:
We will build intelligently, using the smart resources, innovations and technology now accessible. Building to accumulate quantity is simply dumb and a cumbersome mass of future problems.
BUILD INTELLIGENCE.
BUILD INTELLIGENTLY
AND CONSTRUCT
DE CONSTRUCTIVELY
IN ORDER TO RECONSTRUCT A Modern Society.
REGARDING EVERYTHING ELSE:
To be discovered with Care, Passion, and Time.
Natasha and Zero (*written in 2007)
