HOX ZODIAC at the Fowler museum

Posted on December 3, 2016 by VV

After 8 years of work on this project — feels like it is finally taking a wonderful form. Siddharth flew in from Seattle and we worked together on the book and the kickstarter — soon to be up and running. The idea was to have the book and kickstarter ready for this event at the Fowler museum but it took all our energies to pull it together as we were really pushing the possibilities — we had 60 amazing people join the dinner. Since it was held at the museum, we were not able to have our participants bring their food offerings and were super lucky to have Hsin Yu’s mother prepare the feast. Being Taiwanese she really understood the complexity and was excited to work with me closely on the menu based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Western interpretations of both.

Siddharth (sheep) overlooking the set-up and placement…

Aleksa Mara (horse) sharing her experience with horses…

Marla Berns, director of the Fowler museum speaking about the wonderful exhibition of Cuban printmaker Belkis Ayón.

Mick Lorusso speaking about

Lerah and Siddarth (sheeps) sharing their dishes.

Keynote lecture

Posted on October 30, 2016 by VV

I am getting ready for a keynote talk for the “Showroom Z +: collaborations between art and science” conference at the Zurich University for the Arts.

Here is the short abstract of the talk: Brain Storming: Molecules, Butterflies, Animals and Birds

Using the metaphor of the diamond reflecting different sides of the same idea, problem or environment, I will show how long term collaborations with nanoscientist James Gimzewski, neuroscientists Siddharth Ramakrishnan and Mark Cohen and evolutionary biologist Charles Taylor influence our perception and experience of the world around us. The talk will highlight why it is important for scientists to work with artists.

Showroom Z + N ° 6

4. November 2016: Showroom Z + N ° 6: Collaborations

Flyer (download pdf)

Victoria Vesna (University of California LA) on Fri 11/04/2016 visited the showroom Z + N ° 6 «collaborations».

9:30: Lecture “Brain Storming: Molecules, Butterflies, Animals and Birds» — Lecture Hall 1, Level 3

13:30 : Workshop “Performing the Self Animal / Ingesting Cultural Hybridity: Hox Zodiac Dinner» space 6.K02

Now getting ready for Showroom Z + N ° 6: Collaborations

Posted on October 25, 2016 by VV

Showroom Z + N ° 6: Collaborations

HOX ZODIAC tasting workshop after the keynote lecture: November 4th.

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How is it possible to keep track in a project with 22 participating institutions on four continents? How can what the neurologist in the brain of an actor looks, change the theories of a theater scientist?What recognize a philosopher in one of a chimpanzee painted picture? Transdisciplinary collaboration always result in a concerted effort across artistic and scientific territory and thus the attempt with them to overcome traditional boundaries. Not always a collaboration designed smoothly. Collaborations often mean also confrontations of different methods, work modes or call cultures to bridge calls for a high input of motivation and time.

HOX ZODIAC lunch for the UCLA Staff

Posted on June 15, 2016 by VV

This is becoming a tradition at the end of the academic year — to say thank you to the staff that is invisible but makes things happen and certainly helps the Art Sci center! We have a great showing from the Fowler and the Arts but no one from CNSI so we have to throw another one. Jaya was on her way but got lost 🙁 Roland helped us book the room in the beautiful IPAM (Institute for Applied Mathematics) designed by Gehry. He works there and many do not know that he is a chef on the side and goes to Japan every summer to learn!

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Flan by Dawn and a original curry balls by Roland (horse).

Brenda with her offering 🙂

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More pics on flikr.

Hox Zodiac at the Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound

Posted on March 4, 2016 by VV

This was a great space to host Hox Zodiac and the director, Peter Wimberger, was so generous with the artifacts and giving us the space and help! People are real foodies in Seattle area so we had some amazing dishes and drinks too — many will be added to the Hox cookbook! See more pics from the event.

From the dinner table to Virtual Reality to ceramics

Posted on January 27, 2016 by VV

In the same month, I held a Hox Zodiac dinner, went to Longquan to learn about Chinese jade like celadon and premiered Bird Song Diamond at the largest VR space in the world. It is not about the media, it is about being the medium for the message. If you train to be a good medium, it is not about you either, but about what humanity needs to hear. Seems like we need to listen to the animals and develop a closer relationship.
painting Hox on ceramics

Just received this on We Chat from Chen Mo — there is a 50% chance that the ceramic breaks while firing so they had me paint two plates — both survived!

Hox Zodiac Japan: Tsukuba

Posted on December 19, 2015 by VV

While on sabbatical at the Empowerment Informatics studios, I am staying at the Ninomiya house in Tsukuba. They have a marvelous meeting space with a full on professional kitchen so this was a great space for Hox Zodiac Japan! It was also an opportunity to celebrate Jim’s upcoming birthday as he was departing back to LA the next day. Great fun!