I am an artist and anthropologist traveling independently for one year doing research! I am love hearing other people's stories, outlooks on life, and seeing the many ways we can live and work on this large earth. I think that cultural exchange is one of the simplest ways that we can make the world better by learning how to understand each other, and surfing is maybe one way to make that happen! There are some amazing people out there!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am traveling the world (anywhere but the USA) for one year August 2015- August 2016 on the Watson Fellowship conducting independent research!

The following is my short project description:

A Final Resting Place for History: A Visual Investigation of Cemeteries
Germany, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Egypt, Argentina

Cemeteries are rich with information about the culture, history, and politics of their surrounding environment. They are also a constructed landscape found all across the globe in cultures with varying religious beliefs and practices. I wish to visually explore how cemeteries reflect different attitudes towards death in six different countries while engaging with the community that develops in these spaces. As an artist, I hope to be inspired by my travels and communicate them through my practice while documenting my experience.

Interests

Art, Museums, Music, Architecture, Film

• arts
• culture
• architecture
• contemporary art
• environment
• cooking
• politics
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• surfing
• anthropology
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

The Goldfinch, Millennium trilogy, anything by Barbara Kingsolver, Cheryl Strayed... the list goes on

Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Lord Huron, Sylvan Esso, the Talking Heads... again the list goes on

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Curated over 15 art exhibitions in a closet sized room

I have probably been to more cemeteries than you? And if not, let's please meet up and talk

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you basic drawing lessons, help hang a picture on your wall, or anything else "creative." I used to work at a contemporary art museum in Chicago and also directed a small art gallery for a while so I am handy with framing and hanging.

You can see my work on my website: www.lydiasmith.co

What I Can Share with Hosts

A drawing perhaps!?

I also cook pretty fantastic pizza from scratch- and have managed to make it right on four different continents.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, United States