Learning. Researching. Creating. Meditating.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I see regular tourism as a horribly consumerist activity which is based on sucking the energy and resources from the visited location. I try to have a different approach - to stay away from touristic sites, spend time with locals, learn from them and give something back. I travel to both experience foreign cultures, to push myself out of my comfort zone, and to contribute towards a better living in the places I visit. Drinking and partying are not what I seek. Sharing, learning and feeling part of a larger body of humanity are what I look for.

Interests

I could differentiate my interests in few categories: first of all, it's my academic passions. I'm researching contemporary digital culture and how internet is changing it. Together with that goes postmodern philosophy, social space studies, anthropology, psychoanalysis, art criticism and analysis.

Secondly I am fascinated by contemporary art. Part of my research is post-internet art, but I like more traditional authors as well. I like to enjoy it aesthetically, analyze it academically, and create it myself. I am a filmmaker and musician, and even though I don't consider myself being an artist, I love to express myself creatively.

Furthermore, part of my everyday routine is meditation, so spirituality is also a topic which I'm highly passionate about. Zen Buddhism is currently my preferred tradition since it centralizes individual practice, independent attainment and human contact.

Finally, I incredibly enjoy making food. I had spent months studying nutritional science, so my culinary creations are both always tasty and healthy. I see cooking as an art form, so I tend to experiment a lot and share my food with others.

• design
• contemporary art
• photography
• music festivals
• cooking
• vegan
• running
• meditation
• reading
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• sports
• anthropology
• teaching
• philosophy
• sociology
• spirituality
• videography
• marketing
• learning
• playing music
• djing
• studying
• playing piano
• zen buddhism

Music, Movies, and Books

I have no favorites since I'm trying new things all the time. I can't stick to one idea for a long period because I feel that my personality develops only when I am trying new things all the time. Having said that, I can specify some of the writers who made the largest impact for me and shaped my worldview: Deleuze&Guattari, J. Baudrillard and C. G. Jung.

Talking about music, I enjoy experimental electronic, techno, jazz, classical... You name it. Some of the artists which I see as incredibly innovative are Aphex Twin, Clark, Aoki Takamasa, Four Tet, Visible Cloaks, Laraaji. You can also see my listening trends at https://www.last.fm/user/mastER-R .

Since I'm a filmmaker myself, I always have hard time watching blockbusters or other popular movies. I always prefer something experimental and out of the box. Alejandro Jodorowsky perhaps is my favorite director.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Amazingness is subjective, but the thing which I still remember to this day is the music festival I organize, and especially - the one which happened in 2016. I could write a book about this one, but long story short - I hadn't slept for 46 hours. I'll tell you more... this story deserves a movie.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm currently working as a lecturer at university, and I also have 7 years of practice being lecturer in other commercial fields where I used to be and still am teaching photography, so I'm trying to constantly improve my knowledge communication skills. I woun't lie if I would say that I see education as my life purpose. I can easily teach you photography or video skills, various philosophical insights, art criticism, internet theory, Jungian psychoanalysis, mysticism, nutritional science, and tons of other things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am always traveling with my camera, so if you need pictures or videos for your needs - just ask me, I will be more than willing to help you! Here is my portfolio: https://www.strokas.com/ . I can make a photoshoot or make a short video for you, your products, your events or something else on the spot.

And off course, I would be delighted to cook you something unique and corresponding to your current state of well-being. I love to experiment, so with your help I could make a fusion out of different cuisines where the final dish would not only be a tasty and healthy treat, but also a symbol of intercultural connection.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Estonia, Italy, Lithuania