Published in the winter 2011 issue of MyLIFE magazine
Long before computers and the Internet, people gathered in one another’s homes to share, learn and be entertained. From the ancient Greeks who gathered in agoras to discuss philosophy, to Native Americans who gathered in stone dwellings to pass on stories and legends, to French society in the 1700s, when women would meet to discuss books in bedrooms, the home has played a role in the enjoyment of culture.
It took a man who calls himself an idea shaman to use the Internet to get people off their computers and into each other’s living rooms. Igor Brezhnev, that idea shaman, moved to the United States from Moscow 15 years ago. To date, his best manifestation in that role is the website livingroomculture.com. It launched into cyberspace on Nov. 22, 2010.
Brezhnev says, “With communication mediums like radio, television and Internet, and increased venues in which to attend large group events, personal, intimate home gatherings that offer something more thoughtful than a party atmosphere do not occur in the general population. Living Room Culture takes the best of what the Internet does—connects people—and suggests bringing cultural interaction back into living rooms.”
This website is just one of many that promote social interaction, but what makes it unique is the way it matches people with a talent or expertise with opportunities to perform or speak in the homes of people who want to host an event. Through livingroomculture.com, performers, artists and speakers arrange to come into your home—sometimes free of charge, or for a small fee that can be covered by the host or collected by the host from the guests (it is the host who pays the presenter).
The common definition of living room, according to Brezhnev, is “a room in a house for general and informal everyday use,” and the common definition of culture is “the arts, sciences and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.” Brezhnev gives them each new definitions: “living room: the home gathering place where family and friends share, learn, play and grow,” and “culture: anything a human does to any degree of success that is valued by other people.”
At a Living Room Culture planned event, artists, musicians or other experts come to meet you, make friends with your friends and leave everyone with a good memory or newfound knowledge. “Perhaps we can do away with the notion that artists, poets, musicians, thinkers or craftsmen who are not well-known celebrities but who are talented in their own right will realize that people in their own community can ask them into their home and give them some support. In addition to looking for commercial venues and getting bookings, they now have an option to perform or speak in the comfortable surroundings of a home filled with friends,” says Brezhnev.
Phoenix writer and musician Brendon Cottrell recently gave a concert in Brezhnev’s living room to try out the concept. Brezhnev said, “It turned out to be a magical experience for my guests and me. It brought together a lot of people who got to both be entertained by Brendon and meet him after the show.”
Currently on the website, you can choose from a poet to give a reading, a musical performance or lessons in meditation and stress reduction from a certified yoga instructor. As interest grows, Brezhnev hopes to add a wider variety of people who’d like to perform or speak in private homes.
Living Room Culture is not a for-profit business. Its owner has a unique view of the world of give and take. Brezhnev says that in his years of experience in working as a cook, a security guard, a technology consultant, a graphic designer, an art director and even a ditch digger, the jobs were all about enjoying life and learning new skills. “There are no fees for what I do. If I can do it, and I like doing it—I will help. As far as my own wants and needs … perhaps the people I help will see value in what I do and will barter or pay to help me continue do what I do, live in a place I like, purchase things I enjoy and allow me to help other people reach their dreams. It all adds up.”
The website is free to those who post information about their talent, their plan for a show, their fee and their availability. It is also free to those who use it to book a presenter. According to Brezhnev, the website is “a vehicle to connect people who want to engage in redefining their own lives and culture.”
