Talks
AIR talks highlight the collaborative, challenging and entrepreneurial nature of our work. Talks series include pairing climate-focused artists with on- the-ground activists, academics and institutions in related fields; resident artists presenting their research and works-in-progress; and demystifying the entrepreneurial process by inviting innovators and venture capitalists to discuss the process by which seemingly impossible ideas gain much needed support to launch, survive and thrive.
AIR 2020 Artist Talk
veronique d’entremont, Joel Garcia,
iris yirei hu. Sep 09, 2020
In light of the pandemic, Air 2020 artists veronique d’entremont, Joel Garcia and iris yirei hu began a virtual residency, including a Zoom talk reflecting on their individual practices and areas of research. Ideas discussed include the link between the prison industrial complex and firefighters, public space and Indigenous sovereignty, and the impact of indigo on Indigenous cultures.
(Dis)Location Panel Discussion
Beatriz Jaramillo, Elana Mann, Britt Ransom
Royale Projects, Jan 25, 2020
Air artists Beatriz Jaramillio, Elana Mann and Britt Ransom spoke about their residnecy experiences in the context of their culminating exhibition (Dis)Location. They reflected on new challenges presented by research and expanded production capacity, and the unexpected overlaps in idea generation in realizing they each were studying a deep connection to place, albeit in radically different ways.
On the Amazon
Clarissa Tossin + Atossa Soltani
Oct 29, 2019
Air presented an opportunity for conversation between Brazilian artist Clarissa Tossin and Amazon Watch founder and board president Atossa Soltani. The two discussed Tossin’s recent residency in the Amazon with LABVERDE, the role of the Amazon in the climate crisis, the direct connection between preserving the rain forest and supporting Indigenous peoples, and how we can help from here.
How Did They Start?
LACI, 2018/19
The How Did They Start series aligned the commonalities of artists and entrepreneurs by inviting LACI portfolio companies and venture capitalists to share their stories of success and failure in establishing climate-focused startups. The series has heard from entrepreneurs including Kelli Jackson (Hank’s Mini Market), Arthur Lucero (FitScrubs), Jane Palmer (Nature Coatings), and Cory Combs (Ampaire). Venture capital panelists include Anastasia Tarpeh-Ellis (Backstage Capital) and Trevor Wilkins (Quake VC). Moderators include actor and producer Ahmed Best, Creative Director Leo Estevez, and journalist Erica Berger. Series produced in collaboration with LACI Senior Investment Director Taj Ahmad Eldridge.
Creating Candlewood Arts Festival
Halina Avery, Pearl C. Hsiung, Kris Kuramitsu, Mario Ybarra Jr. LACI, Apr 30, 2019
This was a unique opportunity to hear from the Candlewood Arts Festival team, incluing curator Kris Kuramitsu, Under the Sun Foundation Board Member Halina Avery and participating artists Pearl C. Hsiung and Mario Ybarra Jr. The festival is an annual project celebrating connections between art, community, and our shared environment in the dramatic landscape of Borrego Springs, California. The group discussed the origin of the festival, artist selection process, challenges and learnings of working in Borrego Sprints, and unexpected ecological impacts of public art.
Water
Carolina Caycedo, Jessa Calderon, Taylor Thomas (East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice). LACI, Oct 15, 2018
Artist Carolina Caycedo spoke in depth about her work on water, specifically with global communities effected by damming. She was joined in conversation by Taylor Thomas of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice: a community-based organization that works to facilitate self-advocates in East Los Angeles, Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach; and performer and activist Jessa Calderon. Jessa is of the Chumash and Tongva nations, and spoke to how loss of land and climate change impact Indigenous communities, and how we may learn from traditional ways of stewarding land.
Archaeology of the Present
Artists Addressing Climate Change. Rebecca Bruno, Nova Jiang, Debra Scacco. Moderated by Megan Steinman. ICALA, Aug 13, 2018
This 90 minute conversation was introduced by Asuka Hisa, Director of Learning and Engagement at ICALA, and moderated by independent curator and writer Megan Steinman. The discussion the inaugural Air focused on the agency and responsibility artists, cultural producers and cultural institutions have in addressing the climate crisis.
Worse Than You Think: The Status of Equity Now
Micol Hebron. LACI, Sep 18, 2018
Artist, feminist, educator and activist Micol Hebron presented data on inequity in the art world, and how this relates to wider inequities across the professional landscape. She was then in conversation with LACI Community Engagement Senior Vice President Estelle Reyes to discuss outreach, measuring success, and what art and cleantech may learn from the others’ challenges and successes. Presented in conjunction with LACI Women in Cleantech.