Altered States: Art, Ecology, & Collaboration

The symposium brings together Kentucky-based and internationally recognized artists whose work spans natural dye cultivation, sustainable materials, environmental stewardship, urban design and community-engaged artmaking.

The artist talks portion of the symposium will run from 1-5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in the Biagi Forum at the Gray Design Building and is free and open to the public. The speaker schedule is as follows:

• 1:15-2 p.m. — Mel Chin

A MacArthur Fellow, Hiroshima Art Prize winner and internationally recognized conceptual artist, Chin’s wide-ranging practice explores politics, ecology, mapping, surrealism and other themes. Many of his projects bring together art, science and community action to address environmental and social concerns.

• 2-2:45 p.m. — April Bojorquez and Matt Garcia

Co-founders of DesertArtLAB, a Colorado-based environmental arts collaborative whose work spans topics such as Indigenous and Chicano ecological practices, food sovereignty, desert ecology and community-based land restoration.

• 3-3:45 p.m. — Daniel Feinberg

An artist, educator and associate professor at Berea College who uses plants and design to explore how paved surfaces affect water, heat and land.

• 3:45-4:30 p.m. — Emmanuel Pratt

A MacArthur Fellow and co-founder of the Sweet Water Foundation, a nonprofit that uses design, urban ecology, education and community building to turn vacant spaces into places that support people and neighborhoods.

• 4:45-5:30 p.m. — Panel with all artists moderated by Miriam Kienle

Symposium discussion moderators and invite-only workshop include:

Crystal Gregory and Jessamine Michler — Gregory, an associate professor in the UK School of Art and Visual Studies, and Michler, an intern, lead work behind The Dye Garden at The Arboretum, where they grow plants for natural dye work and textile research.

Hannah Smith — Fabrication lab specialist and educator in the UK School of Art and Visual Studies who teaches students to use safer recycled and biodegradable materials, including bioplastics made from seaweed, plant fibers and food waste.