Merchants Culture Series : Kayu Vianna
KAYUS JOURNEY TO A HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE
Kayu Vianna is a unique blend of Brazilian and Japanese heritage, raised amidst the diverse cultures of Bali. His life is a testament to living authentically, driven by passion and creativity. In an exclusive interview, Kayu opens up about his journey, revealing how he seamlessly integrates his passions into a holistic lifestyle.
"SURFING WAS AN ESCAPE TO THE ISSUES THAT WE WERE HAVING AT HOME, KIND OF ANOTHER WORLD WHERE I COULD - FEEL SAFE"
Kayu’s journey began with surfing, a passion ignited by his proximity to the beach. “My initial interest and my passions first came from surfing,” he recalls. “Growing up, it was just second nature to wake up and go surfing, spending all my weekends, afternoons, and mornings at the beach.” Surfing became more than a hobby; it was an escape and a sanctuary during challenging times at home. It provided a safe space where Kayu could immerse himself in a world free from worries and toxic situations.
"EVERYTHING HAS A PURPOSE THAT SERVES ONE MAIN OBJECTIVE"
“[Work] doesn’t exist anymore in my world. I’ve worked at a 9-5 and I realised that wasn’t for me.” This realisation led him to create a lifestyle where his passions and daily activities are interconnected. “My whole world is meshed into one,” he explains. “From surfing to photography to creativity to the things I do in my day-to-day life, everything has a purpose that serves one main objective. It all becomes a part of my identity.”
"JUST F*CK IT AND TRY EVERYTHING"
Kayu’s creative process is fluid and instinctive. He believes in the importance of self-expression and learning through experimentation. “Just keep doing whatever you like,” he advises. “If you don’t know what you like, then pick from artists that you do know and mesh. Everyone has their own unique style; it really depends on how much you express that and how much you let others influence that.” His philosophy is straightforward: “Just try everything because in the process of learning, you learn what you like and what you don’t like, and what works for you and what doesn’t.”
"TO EVOKE AN EMOTION"
At the heart of his work is a desire to invoke emotion and inspire others. He hopes that people look at his photography and feel something profound. “I think the main factor that I would like, at least from photography and also to create direction stuff, is for people to look at it and go ‘wow, that’s sick,’” he says. For Kayu, the power of art lies in its ability to represent emotions and inspire others to take their own leap of faith.
"JUST KEEP DOING WHATEVER YOU LIKE, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE THEN PICK FROM ARTISTS THAT YOU DO KNOW AND MESH"
- KAYU VIANNA
Kayu Vianna’s zest for life and his approach to creativity and self-expression are truly inspiring. He embodies the essence of Merchants, merging his passions seamlessly into a cohesive, purpose-driven lifestyle. Kayu’s journey is a testament to living authentically and embracing one’s unique path.
Explore more of Kayu’s world and his philosophy of life in our latest culture series here.
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