CreativeJunkFood: Revolutionizing Storytelling with Art and Technology

Founded by a group of passionate artists from Washington, D.C., CreativeJunkFood has been transforming the way stories are told since 2010. Rooted in traditional art-inspired aesthetics, this dynamic multimedia studio has evolved from animating music videos to spearheading impactful projects like the Go-Go Museum and the Marion Barry Legacy public art installation.

With a mission to blend art and technology, CreativeJunkFood (CJF) creates immersive experiences that connect audiences deeply with culture and history. Learn how this trailblazing studio continues to push creative boundaries while overcoming challenges and fostering community collaboration from co-founders Nabeeh Bilal and Candice Taylor.

Can you tell us about the origins of CreativeJunkFood and your mission as a multimedia studio?

CJF: We met in high school, studying visual arts at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. We reconnected after college with some of our former classmates and decided to form CreativeJunkFood in 2010. Our mission from the beginning was to bring the art of storytelling through traditional art-inspired aesthetics. We initially started by animating music videos but have grown to do branding, graphic design, animations, films, and murals. We are now breaking into the museum space.

How does CreativeJunkFood blend art and technology to create immersive storytelling experiences through the Go-Go Museum and Bus, and how does it invite audiences to connect with his story on a deeper level?

CJF: We make sure that the storytelling and technology are considered at the very beginning of a project. We leave the door open to discover things that will enhance the story or experience based on what genuinely connects to the particular thing we are communicating. Since we couple storytelling with animation, design, and traditional art, there are many ways to combine those things with technology, especially since they already inspire many of the technological advancements we see today. Ultimately, it has to make sense for the audience, and that’s always our goal.

Marion Barry is a monumental figure in D.C.’s history. What inspired CreativeJunkFood to develop a public art project dedicated to his legacy?

CJF: The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities commissioned the project with the Marion Barry Jr. Legacy Foundation and the Department of General Services. The commission sent out a call for artists to apply, and we were chosen after presenting our concept to the commission and its stakeholders. Growing up in D.C., we were already familiar with Marion Barry and his summer works program, so we were excited about the opportunity to create art to honor his legacy.

What challenges did you face in creating the brick-and-mortar and mobile versions of the Go-Go museum, and how did you overcome them?

CJF: You can plan for as much as possible, but there is always the unknown. Time is always the biggest challenge when it comes to creative projects. For the bus, we spent time developing the concept and working through many rounds of revisions. We were initially going to repurpose an old D.C. metrobus, but we had trouble finding one in good condition that would also accommodate some of the things we needed to add to the bus, especially since we needed it to be operational.

One of the challenges we encountered with the brick-and-mortar museum was defining the style of the different areas and creating an immersive design that was both engaging and true to the Go-Go culture. We also faced challenges working with so many collaborators because different people were involved in the project, from the actual construction of the space to the interactive screens and the exhibits' fabrication.

We ultimately had to art direct the entire museum to ensure consistency between what our other collaborators were producing and what we were doing. It was a big lesson in creative problem-solving. Thankfully, it all came together nicely.

Candice: Also, In June 2023, we experienced an unforeseen setback when I suffered a massive stroke, which left me in the ICU on a breathing machine and temporarily paralyzed on my right side. I nearly died and eventually had to learn to walk and talk again.

Nabeeh: That immediately stopped all of our projects for a couple weeks while I tried to be there as a friend and business partner as best as possible. Candice was leading the Go-Go Bus project, but I had to pick up the mantle and lead all our other projects, including the Marion Barry Legacy Project, while she stabilized and recovered.

Candice: When I was ready again, we worked together to face the issues that come along with undertaking such an innovative project.



What other projects are in the pipeline for CreativeJunkFood? Are there any plans to expand beyond D.C.?

CJF: We share our projects once they're complete, but we look forward to building on these two monumental projects and continuing to forge our legacy. We definitely see ourselves expanding to other regions outside of D.C. through art workshops or webinars, community engagement projects, and films or animations.

We also want to continue challenging ourselves as artists by collaborating with other creators, staying abreast of technological advancements, and sharing our creations with people worldwide.

How can local communities, artists, and organizations collaborate with CreativeJunkFood to support your mission?

CJF: They can visit our website, www.creativejunkfood.com, and schedule a 15-minute meeting, or you can email us directly at [email protected].

How can our audience engage with or support CreativeJunkFood and these incredible projects?

CJF: We invite people to visit our website at www.creativejunkfood.com, and sign up for a mailing list to receive updates on our work. They can also follow us on Instagram at @creativejunkfood.