Join us for a thought-provoking panel on piñon, wild foraging, and ecological stewardship, weaving together insights from three unique perspectives that bring cultural, ecological, and personal connections to the topic, with:
Peggy Darr, Biologist with Defenders of Wildlife, Star Not Afraid, Hopi Performance Artist and Multi-Generational Piñon Gatherer, and Gina Rae La Cerva, Author of Feasting Wild.

Free and Open to the Public

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Santa Fe is proud to present a panel discussion on Saturday, December 7, at 4:00 PM, focused on piñon, wild foraging, and ecological stewardship. Held within the evolving exhibition Natalia Pereira: a birth – I can’t stop, the event brings together voices from conservation and Indigenous communities who share profound, lived relationships with piñon trees, foraging traditions, and the natural world.

This year marks a significant piñon harvest, a rare event in the trees’ irregular cycles of abundance, which typically occur every 4 to 7 years. The last major harvest was in 2020, and part of the wonder lies in the unpredictability of these coordinated masting events. To celebrate this natural phenomenon, artist and chef Natalia Pereira will offer a special tasting featuring wild-foraged piñon nuts, providing a sensory connection to the themes of the discussion.

Attendees are invited to explore the rich intersection of diverse ways of knowing—bridging cultural, ecological, and personal perspectives on piñon ecosystems and the practices that sustain them. The discussion will feature insights into the cultural, ecological, and personal connections to piñon ecosystems and the practices that sustain them.

Peggy Darr, New Mexico Representative for Defenders of Wildlife, brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation, land management, and ecosystem restoration across various states, including New Mexico. She will discuss the endangered Pinyon Jay and its essential role within piñon ecosystems, providing insights into ongoing conservation efforts and highlighting the interconnectedness of wildlife, plant life, and the unique landscapes of the Southwest. (defenders.org)

Star Not Afraid, a Hopi performance artist and multi-generational piñon gatherer, will share knowledge and practices surrounding traditional piñon gathering within his community. For Not Afraid, gathering piñon is both a cultural tradition and an essential relationship with the land, rooted in Indigenous technology that merges contemporary art and traditional ceremony. His approach reflects a vital commitment to ecological care, sustained by teachings that honor the interconnectedness of people and nature.

Gina Rae La Cerva, a geographer, environmental anthropologist, and award-winning writer originally from Santa Fe, is the author of Feasting Wild: In Search of the Last Untamed Food. Her work explores the relationship between humans and wild foods, advocating for sustainable practices that honor ancient foodways and support biodiversity. La Cerva will reflect on her experiences with wild foods and foraging as a way of reconnecting with nature, fostering a renewed respect for the landscapes that nourish us. (ginaraelc.com)

Through this conversation, ICA Santa Fe seeks to create space for the public to engage in meaningful dialogue about the interconnectedness of culture, ecology, and community. The panelists will share knowledge from diverse perspectives, inviting participants to deepen their understanding of the complex relationships between people, plants, animals, and ecosystems.

“This discussion on piñon and wild foraging is a vital opportunity to learn from those whose lives and work are closely intertwined with these practices,” said Chiara Giovando, Director of ICA Santa Fe. “It reflects our commitment to fostering a community that values the relationships between culture, ecology, and art.”

Event Details
What: Panel Discussion on Piñon and Wild Foraging
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 4:00 PM
Where: ICA Santa Fe, 906 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Cost: Free and open to the public

This event is free and open to all, welcoming community members, environmental advocates, artists, and anyone interested in sustainable practices, Indigenous perspectives, and conservation.

In partnership with Lineage Seeds, we’re hosting a special lecture and seed-sharing event with Lineage Seeds Founder, Jared Hāgood, focused on the cultural and ecological importance of seed stewardship. Attendees will engage in discussions on sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and community resilience, and will take home seeds as a symbol of our shared agricultural heritage.

Free and Open to the Public

Jared Hāgood, a dedicated seed steward, will share insights on the vital role seeds play in preserving cultural heritage, fostering food sovereignty, and supporting resilient, sustainable communities. His lecture will delve into connecting with seeds through personal genetic lineage, understanding the crops our ancestors grew, and embracing the role of being a seed keeper—whether or not you are actively growing them.

The discussion will also touch on practical techniques for growing and saving seeds, as well as current political and social issues tied to seed stewardship. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of the importance of traditional agriculture and sustainable practices and have the opportunity to participate in a seed-sharing session, taking home local and heritage seeds to support biodiversity and community-based food resilience.

In addition to the lecture and seed sharing, attendees will enjoy a special food offering prepared by Natalia Pereira, blending her signature Brazilian cuisine with a local ingredient inspired by Lineage Seeds. This unique culinary experience highlights the deep connections between food, culture, and ecology.

Lineage Seeds is a New Mexico-based organization dedicated to preserving seed biodiversity and promoting practices that support self-reliant, resilient food systems. For more information, visit their website at www.lineageseeds.com.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Santa Fe is proud to present an extraordinary live sound art performance by Tatsuya Nakatani’s Gong Orchestra (NGO) on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. This community-based contemporary sound art project has traveled worldwide, performing across North America, from Alaska to Mexico. Under Nakatani’s expert direction, local ensembles are formed in each location, offering a unique, immersive auditory experience. The performance features 16 large-scale gongs and an original score that envelops the audience in waves of complex tones and microtones, created by bowing custom-made instruments. Nakatani’s unconventional techniques and instruments transform each performance into an ethereal, multi-layered soundscape.
Tatsuya Nakatani, a world-renowned percussionist, composer, and sound artist, has been captivating audiences since the 1990s with his innovative approach to experimental music. With over 80 recordings and more than 150 performances annually, Nakatani blends elements of new music, improvisation, and sound art.
Since its inception in 2011, Nakatani’s Gong Orchestra has toured prestigious venues, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the Oregon Fringe Festival in Ashland, OR, The Issue Project Room in New York City, and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Each performance is unique, featuring local players trained by Nakatani to collaborate in creating the vibrant, resonant sounds of the orchestra.
The evening will also feature an opening set by Rob Magill, an experimental multi-instrumentalist from Southern California. Magill’s wide-ranging influences, from jazz and blues to classical music and punk, provide an exciting contrast to Nakatani’s resonant gongs.
This event is made possible with the collaboration of Santa Fe Noise Ordinance and Sandbox Music.

Join us this Friday night at ICA Santa Fe as we resonate the incoherent bodies created by hana kostis with sound. As part of the current exhibition we have invited five musicians to play the exhibition alongside the kostis. Five copper sculptures will be played to and with as an invitation to consider the relationship between subject and object, and the animacy inherent in all things.

These abstracted figures will be sounded by and with; kelechi agwuncha, Luna Galassini, Chiara Giovando, hana kostis, LMT, and TECUANI.

SUNDAY MAY19, 12 PM ARTIST TALK w/ hana kostis, for An Incoherent Body

Please join us for ICA Santa Fe CRIT CLUB #01. We will be democratizing the format of the artist talk by inviting visitors to share what they see – their thoughts and feelings with the artist before we hear from hana kostis about the work.

Loosely based on Michael Asher’s iconic class held at CalArts for decades called Post-Studio, ICA Santa Fe CRIT CLUB gives space for the artist to simply listen to the observation of others in relation to their work without having to explain or defend it. When all participants are done sharing, the artist will ask questions and enter the discourse.

We understand this to be an act of generosity towards each other as we practice listening and towards the artist and what they have brought into being for this exhibition.