In this new episode of the arts4society podcast, listen to an enlightening conversation between anthropologist Anne-Christine Taylor and artist Julien Bismuth.

Pay attention as they tell us about their long-term work in the Amazonian rainforest and how it has impacted their vision of society.

Be attentive as they share how their multicultural background led them to embrace a journey in contemporary art and ethnology.

Tune in to hear their take on literature, language, translation and, of course, how they see their role in society. Enjoy!

This episode was recorded on June 2, 2021.

In this 10th episode of the arts4society podcast, our guests Magda Love & Jorge Otero-Pailos tell us how they use walls as a creative medium. Listen, as they share with us some of the stories that walls would tell, if only they could talk!

Both Magda and Jorge have a very peculiar and interesting relationship to the walls built around us. As a street artist, Magda likes to think of them as gigantic pieces of paper, which she uses to create strong and colorful narratives. Driven by his training in architecture and preservation, Jorge is best known for making monumental casts of historically charged buildings, and invites us to consider their walls as powerful agents of change. Together with them, we explored how a wall can be more than a physical divider, and instead foster creativity and capture the passage of time.

Don’t miss Jorge’s upcoming exhibitions in New York at Sapar Contemporay and in London at Holtermann Fine Art, as well as Magda’s many murals including her ‘Soul Ancestors’ that adorn the City-As-School’s walls in lower Manhattan.

This episode was recorded on May 18, 2021.

In this new episode, we explore a universal and intimate theme: the body, together with two amazing artists, Kubra Khademi and Prune Nourry, whom we had the pleasure to interview together.

The pandemic – and social distancing – have triggered a stronger awareness of our body as well as the lack of physical connections with others. What do artists have to say about that? How can two female artists use their own body and experiences to challenge the rules or standards imposed on women in different cultures?

Prune Nourry has gained international recognition through her projects in India and China, such as the Terracotta Daughters army, inspired by the Xi’an terracotta warriors. More recently, she channeled her personal journey through breast cancer into cathartic artistic creations. Kubra Khademi fled Afghanistan in 2015 after a daring performance in the streets of Kabul and has been living in France ever since. They both recently showcased engaged artworks that raise awareness on difficult issues and received wide press coverage for their exhibitions. Keep an eye out for their future shows, Prune at Galerie Templon and Kubra at Fondation Fiminco where she is currently in residence.

This episode was recorded on March 15, 2021.

Virtual exhibitions, webinars, online fairs, video games, e-learning, etc. : since the start of the pandemic, the art world has demonstrated how creative it can get when it comes to digital initiatives. This has brought new challenges and created new opportunities.

In this episode, we explore the relationship between tech, art and society together with a visual artist, Filippo Minelli, and a curator, Pauline Foessel. They recently collaborated on a new format of online exhibition. Let’s hear them as they help us navigate those uncharted territories.

This episode was recorded on February 1, 2021.

The power of photography and the emotions triggered by images are stronger than ever, as evidenced by recent social and political events.

At a time when almost anyone can make a photograph anywhere, what is the responsibility of the photographer, but also that of the viewer when sharing images on social media? What can we learn from the history of the medium? And how can a more ethical grounding of photography improve the impact images have on society?

Tune in as we discuss these essential questions with two photography experts, Pauline Vermare & Fred Ritchin.

This episode was recorded on January 22, 2021.

Sometimes, among all the bad news, you come across words and ideas that allow for an optimistic eye on our world. This is what happened when we interviewed Hank Willis Thomas and José Parlá, two prominent American artists and active members of the Wide Awakes 2020 movement, for the arts4society podcast. 

Listen closely as they walk us through their art practice, their friendship, and tell us how collaboration and joy can become tools of resistance and change in our society. We hope you'll be inspired by their vision - be ready to be awaken!

This episode was recorded on September 10, 2020.

Join us for a moving and inspiring conversation between Lucy Lang, Director of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution, or IIP, ShanaKay Salmon, Creative Associate at the IIP, and Robert Pollock, PEN America's Prison Writing Program Manager. In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd,  they share their insights on the power of art to bring change to society. 

How can art help build resilience, especially for those impacted by the criminal justice system? This is what we are discussing in this series of 5 episodes, which was made in partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution, or IIP, at John Jay College.

This fifth episode was recorded on June 2, 2020.

Listen to the talented Aimee Ng, curator at The Frick Collection, as she walks us through the Frick’s iconic collection and tells us about a painting she chose to embody the theme of our series, i.e. Resilience. Can you guess which masterpiece she picked?

How can art help build resilience and bring change, especially to those impacted by the criminal justice system? This is what we are discussing in this series of 5 episodes, which was made in partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution, or IIP, at John Jay College.

This fourth episode was recorded on May 21, 2020.

Listen closely to Reginald Dwayne Betts, an award-winning poet, memoirist and scholar, and an advocate for the reform of the criminal justice system, as he tells us about his journey, from a 16-year old kid sentenced to 9 years in prison to a critically acclaimed writer and graduate of the Yale Law School. And run to your nearest bookstore to get his latest collection of poetry, Felon.

How can art help build resilience and bring change, especially to those impacted by the criminal justice system? This is what we are discussing in this series of 5 episodes, which was made in partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution, or IIP, at John Jay College.

This third episode was recorded on May 1, 2020.

Tune in and listen to poems written by currently or formerly incarcerated men and women, as well as a conversation moderated by Lucy Lang, director of the Institute for Innovation & Prosecution, or IIP, at John Jay College. Those artists share with us the challenges they've been through in and out of prison, but also their hopes, their strengths… Their resilience.

How can art help build resilience and bring change, especially to those impacted by the criminal justice system? This is what we are discussing in this series of 5 episodes, which was made in partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution, or IIP, at John Jay College.

This second episode was recorded on April 23, 2020.