Creative artist and producer Michal Novotný, a.k.a. YAK.SHA, is launching a new “hub” in Vydrica. The LOVE THEM CLUB will be a place to showcase his lifestyle, mindset, hobbies and projects. This is another of his activities that will give rise to a community of modern people who like to move and adore art and are insightful, perceptive, well-travelled and open to new challenges. If you don’t know him yet, get inspired.
What is the story behind the LOVE THEM concept, how did it come about and where did you get the idea to open the LOVE THEM CLUB?
I created the LOVE THEM as a brand to bring together things that I think people should love. I have collaborated with many visual artists under this brand and now we are also associating it with a healthy lifestyle.
You say that the LOVE THEM CLUB (LTC) will be “the most beloved place in Slovakia for all modern-minded people”. Can you tell us more about your target audience, what will attract them to the LTC and how will you keep them engaged?
The ambition to create the most popular place in Slovakia combining things that I love and consider the most important in the life of modern people. It’s about healthy living, exercise, community activities, socialising, art and the aesthetics of everyday life.
The LOVE THEM CLUB will also cover your community activities of the LOVE THEM RUNNING CLUB (LTRC). You have got hundreds of people off their couches and got them moving, and not just in Slovakia. Will we be seeing this community in Vydrica as well?
Yes, we are working on various activities for our members, such as regular runs, healthy eating, pop-up events and selling products for people who love sports, whether they do it as a hobby or at a more professional level.
How did you come up with the idea of LTRC and what’s its goal?
I founded the LTRC to help people get moving and to build a community that shares a passion for a healthy and active lifestyle.
Your journey to running has literally been a long run in the past year or two. You do triathlons, and you’ve run your “toughest 400 meters” more than once in the Red Bull 400 race and you also ran your first marathon in New York. How does someone fall in love with running?
Running is one of the most challenging types of exercise and the path to it is not easy. I have no recipe for how to master running, everyone should probably find their own way. But I believe the best way to fall in love with it is to start running in a community of like-minded people.
Why did you decide to open the LOVE THEM CLUB in Vydrica, what do you find so special about this project?
With its location and the concept of a modern neighbourhood in a historical centre, I think Vydrica is the future of Bratislava and that’s why I wanted to be a part of it. Originally, I was thinking about a gallery, but in the end, I decided for the LTC project, which will be a home not only for my art-related activities but also for the LOVE THEM RUNNING CLUB.
What would you like to bring to Vydrica, what will be going on in the LTC?
I am planning to transfer my entire lifestyle to Vydrica, along with my aesthetics. We are designing the LOVE THEM CLUB, so that everyone will want to come, no matter whether they are interested in the activities we are going to do here. I believe we’ll be successful and become an outstanding part of the new neighbourhood in the city centre.
You’ve said that the atmosphere, design and aesthetics of the LTC will be inspired by the Far East, particularly Japan, which fascinates you. Can you be more specific?
I love the Japanese design for its purity and the calmness it exudes. I hope we’ll be able to bring that kind of calmness to our space in Vydrica.
You say your plans are more important to you then all the excuses in the world. You’re restless, always creating something and moving forward all the time. What are you investing most of your energy into right now and where are you heading?
I have several work-related projects on the table right now, but lately I’ve started to value my “me time” more, so I’m spending most of my energy on myself.
What would you like to bring to Vydrica, what will be going on in the LTC?
I am planning to transfer my entire lifestyle to Vydrica, along with my aesthetics. We are designing the LOVE THEM CLUB, so that everyone will want to come, no matter whether they are interested in the activities we are going to do here. I believe we’ll be successful and become an outstanding part of the new neighbourhood in the city centre.
