When the Woodstock Witch found Ambrosia
Read Gina’s and Zohra’s story of how they teamed up to create the Box of Ambrosia
As creators and entrepreneurs, we know how difficult it is to work in silos. We always want to stay curious, learn new things from like-minded people and grow together. To grow, we must be brave enough to step outside our comfort zone. Stepping out, just far enough to excite us, is the first step we can take. The second step comes in when we engage with others who have ventured out as well. Varun from BHX Kashmir had shared with us something very profound, “BHX is breaking the code of nature, by making people meet who were never supposed to collide”. And we think this sort of collision is what the world needs when it steps out once again.
Speaking of collisions, there have been two elements that have ruled the universe since the big bang, and they are very much present in the world today and even within us. The tangibles, those that we can see and feel in their physical forms; and the intangibles that we cannot really see but only feel. They make up our hopes, our dreams, and the invisible energies that drive us. Little do we ever speak about how these two come together and synergise.
If you know us, you know how much we love collaborations. We want to showcase another collaboration that occurred between these elements in the most unusual way possible. One that breaks the law of nature and yet it contributes to the greater good.
While these two elements interact with each other in synergy all around us, would you ever believe it if we said that a modern self-proclaimed witch could come with her knowledge of tarot and collaborate with a community of artisans and collaborate?
We didn’t too, until Gina, Founder of Zola India and Zohra, a.k.a. The Woodstock Witch told us they made it happen. The Ambrosia Project was born out of the BHX Goa edition in April and one of our dear friends, Rahul Nair played a catalyst in this collaboration. “The idea of this revolves around abundance” explained Zohra as she continued…
“We wanted to create something that would bring abundance to the consumer as well as to the community of artisans that are struggling during the pandemic. Proceeds from this project also go to We Exist Foundation that helps stray dogs who have suffered during this period.”
Gina who closely works with artisans helped Zohra make the final product come alive.
At the residency, Gina opened up to Rahul about a stagnation phase she was going through and that she wanted to create a greater impact for these communities she’s always worked with. “Why don’t you collaborate with Zohra?” Rahul had asked her and brought them together.
“I’ve always let creativity drive me. I see what’s been done but then I always find myself asking: what more can be done now? I’d rather go wild with ideas and the process of creating rather than focusing on the result. It gives you freedom and the end result is always so beautiful since you allowed yourself the freedom” Gina spoke with her face lit up as she explained to us how Zohra and she were the perfect match for this collaboration. For Zohra, “Gina was always open to new ideas and the creativity stemmed so naturally” that she loved working with her.
The final result: a wooden box with tarot symbols from the suit of pentacles, that too in the Pattachritra style of art. With it comes a timeless reading that Zohra offers and enables people to see a “timeless reading of the blueprint of their souls: what they came on this Earth for”.
When asked what Ambrosia means to them, Zohra replied “It signifies a cup runneth over. It goes so well with the causes we stand for. A box of abundance for the artisans, for the dogs and for the person who buys it”. She went on to add “The Pentacles suit in tarot signifies abundance and chose to translate it into the Pattachitra art form. People can use this box to store things they value a lot, could be jewellery, could be photos of and letters from loved ones.”
Through this project, Gina wishes to make people more aware of our country’s rich culture and art and Zohra wants to help people further in their journeys with the timeless reading she offers.
“We wanted to create something that made people wonder and come to us inquisitively to know more about it, whether it’s the art and culture bit, or the spirituality aspect of it.”
This collaboration turned into a great story and a meaningful collaboration because of how seamless it felt and how well the two synced up with their energies. Gina learned how to be more zen from Zohra, and saw a whole new perspective on how other creators work. On the other hand, Zohra picked up some great ideas Gina brings to the table and her ‘make it happen’ attitude towards life.
Here’s Gina and Zohra’s advice on how to collaborate with someone who seems like an unlikely match at first;
Gina: “Be open to new ideas, don’t limit yourself… And always have a make-it-happen attitude.”
Zohra: “Collaborate with a giver’s mindset; see what skills you can contribute to the table. Only when you put your heart and soul into it, the idea can come to life”
Rahul played an important role in it by lighting the spark between the two creators and as Gina put it well “I took that fire and ran with it” bursting into laughter. Zohra was quick to add “Many people have ideas but there are very few who actually execute it. I’ve learnt that from her. How to get things done!”
This collaboration also involved other mini-collabs that took place with Priyanka, who helped them create a video campaign for this project and Aman who helped with their website.
Circling back to the “breaking code of nature”, when we told Gina about this statement made by Varun, she spoke with her usual candour “It’s important to take the leap and join the creative movement that’s expanding. And disruption is very much important for evolution to take place. BHX is enabling that and that’s very much part of nature”.
Take a peek at their wonderful project here: https://www.zolaindia.com/ambrosia-project/