The Sensible Use of Silly with Roger Hartley

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. Today I'm joined by Roger Hartley founder of the Bureau of Silly Ideas. Driven by an underlying sense of altruism and a passion for the absurd Roger has made it his mission to bring the genius of silly ideas into the mainstream and goes on to explain the ethos behind the Bureau and its seriously silly work. We talk about how subverting the everyday creates the space for magic to happen, and Roger recounts some of the Bureau’s exploits, that include rampant robot wheelie bins, harvesting the pheromones of success whilst masquerading as event sponsors, and working with the UN. We also look at how silliness and eccentricity are at risk in the wake of cancel culture and how we can push creative boundaries by blurring the lines of reality and illusion. So please join me as we look at life through a different lens.     KEY TAKEAWAYS Roger started by creating a space where people could come to an environment with resources to do things, even if they didn’t have any formal training or means. Raised to believe in giving first, Roger has always approached much of his life altruistically. Society and culture put pressure as we grow out of being children to also grow out of being silly and this is to our detriment, especially where creativity and joy are concerned. One approach Roger has implemented is working as a sponsor, it was a different way to curate a 'silly' story and bring silliness to an event. So many adults have forgotten how to play, but we need to recognise that life is about more than being serious and working hard. Cancel culture is making artists, creators and ordinary people scared to push boundaries, stifling creativity. BEST MOMENTS "Silliness for me is the key to free thought and eccentricity and where the glimpses of genius come from” “I was raised in a way where you think of giving first” “They dilute stupid into silly and they’re too different words in my head” “When you remember something that you’ve done that is brilliant, you created a pheromone that’s associated with success” ABOUT THE GUEST Blog Roger is a celebrated public space maverick who creates inspired madness on the streets of the UK and beyond. An experienced creator, performer, producer & maker he has worked across theatre, film, music, stage, television and Outdoor Arts. In 2002 he founded the Bureau Of Silly Ideas. As Artistic Director he has devised street theatre experiences from remote-controlled wheelie bins and stunt clown shows through to large-scale conceptual artworks called 'SuperFictions. Often a guest lecturer and masterclass leader Roger has also been a Leverhulme Scholar, Ted Talk presenter and is currently a member of the Hard Art cultural collective & Guardians of the Arches. Previous Directorships include Big Oriental Squid Inc and Bio Organism Substrate Industries.  https://www.meisterdrucke.uk/fine-art-prints/Bruegel/779168/The-Fight-Between-Carnival-and-Lent.html https://www.dickjewell.com/Breugel.html Socials & Contact: Tweet: @SillyBureau Insta: @bureau_of_silly_ideas Facebook: /bureauofsillyideas   CONTACT METHOD FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline