Interactive Arts Exploration
Events
Middle Eastern Modal Process & Modulation
This SPARKS Exchange will feature a brief exposition of maqām (Middle Eastern modal) music focusing on Tanburi Cemil Bey’s “Hicazkâr Saz Semai” as a template for appreciation of the unique process of modulation that is prevalent in Middle Eastern music. Abdessamad Mason Zantow will present on the lâvta (Istanbul lute), an instrument played by Tanburi Cemil Bey and a cousin of the oud and modern guitar.
Cultivating the Future University: Eco-Art, Healing, and Pedagogy in the Healing Garden
In this SPARKS Exchange, artist and educator Lipeng Jin invites you into the story of the “Healing Garden”—an evolving eco-art and pedagogical experiment at the Sichuan Fine Art Institute, China. More than a campus garden, the Healing Garden is a living laboratory reimagining the university’s role in an era of ecological crisis: How can higher education become a force for planetary healing and community renewal?
The Creative Spark of a Spirit-Forward Artist
Hope Montgomery is a musician, songwriter, and artist. Lacing doubt with curiosity and hopefulness, Hope's work is often reflecting on the human experience of loving, grieving, making meaning of mundanity, and what it means to live alongside nature as a friend. In this SPARKS Exchange, Hope will talk about her works and the creative process and life of a spirit-forward person.
Splash Ink Painting and the Intimidation of Permanence | Kevin Yeh
In this SPARKS Exchange Kevin Yeh 葉浩白 will perform a live demonstration of the Yeh Splash Ink style and explore the concepts of perceived permanence and taking the first step in a journey. Kevin is a third-generation Chinese splash ink artist continuing a family lineage that began with his grandfather. The session will begin with Kevin's demonstration of horse painting, followed by an dialogue with Jared Morningstar to draw connections with process philosophy themes, and conclude with a participatory activity led by Kaeti MacNeil where attendees can breathe along with Kevin's brushstrokes.
Free
Ecological Artistry from the Garden Studio | Melissa Cowper-Smith
In this SPARKS Exchange Melissa Cowper-Smith will be sharing about her Artists Garden, where she gathers materials she transforms through her creative process. Her art is expressed through beekeeping, papermaking, fiber arts of weaving and spinning, and encaustic painting. This session's creative response will be generative scribing, where we gather words throughout the session that evoke the materiality of Melissa's process. To wrap-up the session, participants will weave these words into poetry.
Free
Little By Little: Exploring Justice, Ecology, and Spirituality with Music | Patrick Ioakimedes
In this SPARKS Exchange, Patrick Ioakimedes will share music videos of his original songs Little By Little and Tales of PSi as well as a live performance. In his presentation, he will explore themes such as justice, ecology, sustainability, and spirituality as expressed in his music. For the experiential portion of this session, attendees will co-create a participatory protest chant to explore the intersection of music and activism.
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