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UCLA Art|Sci Center Presents Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption
Part of Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative, programs and exhibitions will run Sept 14, 2024, through June 7, 2025, launching with a Bill Fontana sound exhibition
Immersive, interactive installations, artist lectures, walkthroughs, and live performances and videos by 13 artists—including Bill Fontana’s site-specific installation Silent Echoes: Notre-Dame and the Dachstein Glacier; Katie Grinnan’s sound sculptures The Sensitives; Anna Nacher’s soundwalks; and performances by artists such as Patricia Cadavid, Amber Stucke, and Sholeh Asgary—will activate the UCLA campus to engage audiences in deep reflection on the climate crisis.
Organized by co-curators Victoria Vesna, UCLA Art|Sci center director, and Anuradha Vikram, Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption includes seven sequential exhibitions presented between September 14, 2024, and June 7, 2025, as part of Getty’s PST ART:Art & Science Collide.
The exhibition and related public programs will be held in multiple campus venues, including the Art|Sci Gallery in the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) building on UCLA’s South Campus; the EDA in the Broad Art Center on North Campus; Sage Hill Native Plants & Wildlife Habitat; the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden; Royce Hall; and the UCLA Nimoy Theater operated by UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance.
Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption builds from four years of research by eight artists-in-residence at the UCLA Art|Sci center: Sholeh Asgary, Patricia Cadavid, Bill Fontana, Yolande Harris, Anna Nacher, Joel Ong, Iman Person, and Robertina Šebjanič. Their projects will be joined by installations and performances by local artists Katie Grinnan, Rachel Mayeri, Christina McPhee, Amber Stucke, and Nina Waisman.
“Our goal is to highlight artists and scientists who have developed long-term collaborative relationships with one another,” said co-curator Victoria Vesna. “In this exhibition, we use sound to join the disciplines of art and science and to foster a deeper understanding of our many interconnected environments and cultures.”
PST ART, formerly Pacific Standard Time, is the largest art event in the United States. This year’s iteration will engage audiences throughout Southern California in the theme Art & Science Collide. With the support of nearly $20 million in grants from Getty, dozens of cultural, scientific, and community organizations will present more than 80 exhibitions and a wide spectrum of programs, traversing such topics as climate change, Indigenous knowledge, artificial intelligence, the burgeoning field of eco-acoustic art, and more.
Through Atmosphere of Sound, participating artists and scientists propose to engage human bodies through vibration and exploratory learning as a means of achieving deeper empathy with the environment and with other species.
“Our approach to this project is informed by the work of feminist scientific philosophers including Jane Bennett and Donna Haraway,” Vesna said. “We seek to connect artists and art lovers, scientists, students, performing arts patrons and local families with concepts of vibrant matter and intercellular communication on a global scale.”
Atmosphere of Sound kicks off with Bill Fontana’s outdoor sound sculpture Silent Echoes: Notre-Dame and the Dachstein Glacier, which will be amplified from UCLA’s Royce Hall from September 14 to October 5, 2024. This work threads audio feeds from Notre-Dame’s dormant bells and the Dachstein Cave in Austria, layering these soundscapes into a poetic statement on climate disruption and the fragility of human culture. Fontana is an American composer and media artist who has developed an international reputation for his pioneering experiments in sound.
The official opening event takes place Saturday, September 14, from 2–4 p.m. outside Royce Hall and will feature a conversation with curators and a soundwalk with Fontana.
Following Fontana’s exhibition are six sequential exhibitions in the Art|Sci center’s gallery, located on the fifth floor of UCLA’s CNSI building.
- October 4 to November 2, 2024: Katie Grinnan’s The Sensitives and Amber Stucke’s Talking to Plants
- November 15 to December 14, 2024: Robertina Šebjanič’s CO_SONIC 1884 km2
- January 10 to February 1, 2025: Yolande Harris’s How You Shimmer: Sound Portal for Whale Bubbles
- February 14 to March 15, 2025: Iman Person’s Memory Garden and Patricia Cadavid’s Kanchay_Yupana// and Electronic_Khipu
- April 4 to April 26, 2025: Joel Ong’s In Silence . . .
- May 9 to June 7, 2025: Sholeh Asgary’s Qanat and Ghatel, and Sholeh Asgary + the Ad Hoc Collective for Improvising’s Mourning Technologies for Future Griefs
All exhibitions are viewable by appointment between 2-5pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 12-3pm on Saturdays. Entry is free to the public.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the Atmosphere of Sound website and download the project app to assist in navigating between venues. The app includes wayfinding tools with parking and metro information; meditative soundwalks recorded by Atmosphere of Sound artist Anna Nacher; access to the Atmosphere of Sound radio station, which will stream sonic artworks and interviews with artists and scientists; and detailed exhibition and program information.
“Atmosphere of Sound provokes the central question: ‘If the scale and complexity of climate change exceeds the limits of human perception, how can artists represent it?’” said co-curator Anuradha Vikram. “The project examines how sound-based artists, responding to the climate crisis, have found a unique point of entry to this representational challenge. Sound art, as a medium, evades and challenges the certainty often associated with the sense of sight. The inherent ambiguities of sound can help audiences understand the rapidly shifting state of the climate and its effects on the physical world.”
The Atmosphere of Sound: Sonic Art in Times of Climate Disruption exhibition and program of artist lectures, symposia, and performances, as well as a 250-page full color publication featuring seven original essays (est. print date September 2024) has been generously supported by the Getty PST ART initiative.
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Mightylicious Cookies: The Allergen-Friendly, Kid-Approved Snack for Back-to-School Season
As the back-to-school season kicks off, finding snacks that are both kid-approved and allergen-friendly can feel like a challenge. But don’t worry—Mightylicious cookies are here to save snack time with a delicious twist.
Mightylicious isn’t just another gluten-free cookie; it’s a game-changer. These hand-crafted treats are loaded with amazing flavor and perfect texture, made from clean, all-natural ingredients. Whether your kids have dietary restrictions or you’re just looking for a healthier snack option, Mightylicious is the go-to choice that everyone will love.
Created by Carolyn Haeler, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012, Mightylicious was born out of the need for a gluten-free cookie that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. Carolyn’s mission was simple: to create cookies that are not only safe for those with gluten sensitivities but are also irresistibly delicious for everyone.
Mightylicious offers seven scrumptious varieties, including Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Double Dutch Chocolate Chip, and Vegan Chocolate Chip—perfect for slipping into lunchboxes or enjoying as an after-school treat. Each cookie is 100% gluten-free, and the entire line is made without wheat, rye, barley, or RBST, so you can feel good about what you’re giving your kids.
Introducing my spiced-up twist on a classic favorite: Oatmeal Raisin cookies with a warm, comforting blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Inspired by an old family recipe and crafted with love, this cookie has quickly become our most requested flavor.
Vegan, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free—it’s the perfect treat for everyone, no matter their dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack or a cozy bite with your coffee, our Oatmeal Raisin cookie is here to satisfy your cravings with every chewy, spiced bite.
Available online and in major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Costco, Mightylicious cookies are just what you need to keep snack time fun and flavorful this school year. Stock up today and give your kids a snack that’s as delicious as it is wholesome.
This back-to-school season, make Mightylicious your new family favorite!
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Cozy Up with Bellabu Bear’s Despicable Me 4 + Minions Bamboo Pajamas Collection
Bellabu Bear has teamed up with the beloved Despicable Me 4 and Minions to launch an enchanting new collection of bamboo pajamas. This latest collaboration invites children to dive into the magical world of Gru, Lucy, and their mischievous yellow companions, offering a blend of playful design and luxurious comfort.
Premium Comfort Meets Playful Design
The Despicable Me 4 Bamboo Pajamas Collection by Bellabu Bear combines the whimsical charm of the Minions with the superior comfort of bamboo fabric. Each pajama set is crafted from 100% organic bamboo, known for its softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. This eco-friendly material ensures that children stay cozy and comfortable throughout their nighttime adventures.
Under the soft glow of AVL’s moonlit windows, both minions and agents snuggle into Bello Banana Minions Bamboo Pajamas, dreaming of banana-shaped moons and the endless possibilities awaiting their next day’s mischief. Bellabu Bear’s new collection brings this playful imagery to life with three exciting new designs inspired by Despicable Me 4.
Eco-Friendly and Hypoallergenic
Bamboo fabric is not only incredibly soft but also hypoallergenic, making it a gentle choice for sensitive skin. By opting for bamboo, parents can say goodbye to bedtime irritation and hello to a blissful night’s sleep. Bamboo’s fast growth and minimal resource requirements make it a sustainable and eco-conscious alternative to traditional sleepwear.
Explore the Collection
Bellabu Bear’s Despicable Me 4 + Minions collection is available on ShareASale/Skimlinks, Amazon and Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales. Each pajama set features a playful design that captures the spirit of the Minions while providing unmatched softness and comfort.
To see the collection and explore the new designs, click [HERE]. Bellabu Bear’s Despicable Me 4 Bamboo Pajamas offer a delightful blend of comfort, sustainability, and playful design, making bedtime an adventure waiting to happen.
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How to Get Rid of Your Artificial Grass and Achieve a Real California Lawn
Synthetic grass may look uniform and be seemingly maintenance-free, but environmental and health concerns are prompting many Californians to rip out their artificial lawns. State officials are concerned about health risks created by the chemicals released by these lawns, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals.
“Because of its potential toxicity, fake grass requires careful handling and disposal to minimize any immediate and long-term environmental impact,” cautions Danielle Scardino, lawn expert at West Coast Turf and part of the Harmony Brands network of growers who have developed better solutions to replace artificial plastic products.
Californians are turning to TheRealCaliforniaLawn to find local growers (like West Coast Turf) of grass varieties that will work for them, without any trial and error.
“California homeowners are returning to real organic solutions,” she says. “Natural grass has many ecological benefits, including erosion control, water filtration and air purification. The improved real California lawn is achievable with one of the newer varieties of grasses that have more sustainable, drought-resistant qualities.”
Safe Removal of Artificial Grass
Scardino outlines the DIY process for safely removing potentially toxic artificial turf.
- Grab safety goggles, a pair of gloves and a dust mask. “Wearing protective gear will help guard against exposure to potentially toxic chemicals released during the removal process.”
- Use a utility knife or carpet cutter to section the grass into strips. “This will make it easier to manage and minimize the release of microplastics and other hazardous compounds.”
- Carefully remove any nails, pegs or glue holding the turf in place. “For glued surfaces, use a low-toxicity solvent or adhesive remover to release the turf without damaging the underlying surface. Look for products that carry the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice logo or visit EPA.Gov/SaferChoice for a safer chemical ingredients list.”
- Roll the strips tightly and clean remaining debris. “Secure each roll with tape or rope. This will help contain potentially harmful chemical particles within the rolls. Then use an outdoor vacuum to collect any potentially harmful materials. Carefully empty the vacuum into a sealable bag or container, and dispose of it along with the artificial grass rolls.”
- Research local disposal regulations. “Due to artificial turf’s potential toxicity, some California cities and municipalities have strict disposal guidelines. Visit California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) website at dtsc.ca.gov for local disposal instructions, or call the DTSC headquarters office at 916-551-1313.”
- Test the soil. “It’s recommended to replace artificial turf with natural, sustainable California grass and plants. Testing will help guide any remediation decisions to ensure the soil is safe for planting.”
- Choose a safer, environmentally responsible replacement. “Choose a grass variety and plants that require less maintenance and are safer for the local ecosystem. Savvy Californians are learning that certain varieties of Bermuda grass are the way to go for a real California lawn.” The newer Bermuda varieties have a lot of environmental benefits in addition to giving families a reason (and place) to be more active. These varieties are developed purposefully for changing climate and environmental concerns. They use less water than older varieties, stay greener longer and green up sooner. Even if a lawn gets a dead spot from the weather or dogs, it will grow back and cover itself. And the best news: Bermuda grass can be installed at just about any time of year.
California homeowners need responsible, responsive environmental landscapes that naturally adapt to changing climate conditions. That’s why neighbors, businesses and municipalities are listening to locally based agricultural experts who recommend a proven warm climate performer, one suited for the exact needs of Southern California.
Find details at TheRealCaliforniaLawn.com.
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Bellabu Bear: Setting a New Standard in Children’s Sleepwear with Minions Collaboration
Say goodbye to unsafe and harmful children’s clothing fabrics and hello to Bellabu Bear’s organically grown, chemical-free bamboo clothing. Dedicated to providing safe, comfortable, and eco-friendly pajamas, Bellabu Bear has earned the prestigious Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. Their mission is to dress every child in sleepwear that ensures both safety and comfort.
Bellabu Bear’s pajamas are designed with meticulous attention to detail. They feature YKK zippers, which are choking-proof, and have Oeko-Tex Certification, guaranteeing pinch-free and worry-free garments. Each design is a hand-drawn original work of art, brought to life as beautiful prints on their bamboo baby clothes.
Among their most exciting offerings is the new collaboration with the beloved Despicable Me franchise. Transform bedtime into a minion adventure with the Despicable Me 4: Minions AVL Bamboo Kids Pajamas! Made from eco-friendly bamboo fabric, these pajamas combine the softness and comfort Bellabu Bear is known for with the playful charm of AVL Minions. Featuring vibrant minion graphics and a cozy fit, these pajamas are perfect for little ones who love minion mischief.
The Minions AVL Bamboo Kids Pajamas are not just stylish but also functional. They are tailored to fit all body types with a touch of stretch and a luxuriously smooth fabric. The super soft waistband adds extra comfort, making it perfect for hassle-free pull-ups and pull-downs during potty training. Completely tagless, these pajamas are ideal for babies with sensitive skin.
Why choose bamboo? Bamboo fabric is renowned for being the softest, most breathable, and thermo-regulating, making it perfect for any climate. It is hypoallergenic and moisture-absorbing, providing ultimate comfort for delicate baby skin. Additionally, bamboo is eco-friendly, growing quickly with minimal resources, making it a sustainable choice for conscientious parents.
Bellabu Bear also emphasizes social impact. Each purchase contributes to charities supporting children, animals, and the environment, ensuring that your choice makes a positive difference.
With a fabric composition of 95% Rayon from Bamboo and 5% Spandex, these pajamas offer added stretch and flexibility, ensuring a perfect fit and unparalleled comfort.
Gift your new mama-to-be with Bellabu Bear’s baby clothing, and she can go to bed at night worry-free. Embrace sustainable sleepwear with a touch of minion magic – because every night is a new adventure with minions by your side! The collaboration between Bellabu Bear and the Minions is not just a treat for the kids but a step towards a more sustainable and safe future for all.
Experience the ultimate in children’s sleepwear with Bellabu Bear’s Despicable Me 4: Minions AVL Bamboo Kids Pajamas. Shop now and make bedtime a fun, comfortable, and eco-friendly adventure!
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South Shore Author Tanya Hackett to Release Children’s Book “My Brother Lives in Heaven” to Assist Families Dealing with Grief and Loss
Plymouth author Tanya Hackett will release her first children’s book “My Brother Lives in Heaven” on July 23, 2024 to help children who are suffering from an unimaginable loss. The book has already been named the number one new release in its genre from pre-orders on Amazon.
The book explores how children often wonder what Heaven looks like and struggle with the unknown of where their loved ones go after they leave us here on Earth. In this touching story, a little boy describes to readers all the emotions he feels after the loss of his younger brother. He describes in detail the beauty of what he sees as Heaven and all that will be until he’s reunited with his brother. He validates the sadness that comes along with missing someone, but also the joy, beauty, and peace of what he believes fills his brother’s eternal life in Heaven. Through beautiful illustrations, readers will feel an array of emotions as this little boy travels through his journey of grief. This sweet story helps little minds see beyond Earth and find peace after losing a loved one.
Hackett wrote the children’s book following the sudden, unexpected death of her three year old son Jonny in 2021. After losing her son, she was not only faced with her own grief, but also the grief of her son Bobby, who was only five years old. Through her own blog and social media, she shared the rawness of the pain they felt and the pain of watching her son suffer with the loss of his little brother. Hackett realized this loss was not temporary and, in fact, is a life sentence of learning a new normal. She has gone on to dedicate her life to not only remembering and honoring her son through her foundation, but also normalizing grief and sharing her journey. This book is a look into what grief has been for her son Bobby, who is now turning eight years old.
Hackett hopes this book will help other children who are suffering with an unimaginable loss. The children’s book in Jonny’s memory is going to be released on July 23rd during his anniversary week. The book is being published by Briley and Baxter Publishing Publications LLC of Plymouth, MA, which was founded by South Shore award winning author Stacy Padula as a way to support animal rescues with 10 percent of publishing royalties donated to different animal rescues. The company publishes books in adult fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s, science fiction, fantasy and self-help, as well as Christian fiction and non-fiction for all ages. The book is illustrated by Mandy Moore and is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and e-book on Apple Books and Kobo.
“My mission as a bereaved mother is to normalize grief and not make people grieving feel like they need to move on or get over it,” said Hackett. “There are no eight stages and then you’re suddenly healed. This is a life of learning how to live around the pain and function in a new normal. “
About the Author
Tanya Hackett is the wife of a police officer and mother to three beautiful children: Bobby, Jonny, and Brooke. In 2015, Tanya began working as a social worker for the state of Massachusetts. Tanya’s passion for helping others shined through her work with families and children in the community. It wasn’t until the sudden, unexpected death of her son Jonny in
2021 that her mission shifted. After losing her son, she was not only faced with her own grief, but also the grief of her son Bobby who was only five years old. Through her own blog and social media, she shared the rawness of the pain they felt and the pain of watching her son suffer with the loss of his little brother. Tanya realized this loss was not temporary and, in fact, is a life sentence of learning a new normal. Tanya went on to dedicate her life to not only remembering and honoring her son through her foundation, but also normalizing grief and sharing her journey. This book is a look into what grief has been for her son Bobby, who is now turning eight years old. Tanya hopes this book will help other children who are suffering with an unimaginable loss. Tanya plans to continue sharing this journey and hopes to someday write a
follow-up book in the perspective of her daughter who was born a year after her brother Jonny gained his wings. Jonny will always be a part of the Hackett family, and they will never stop sharing his legacy.
The Hackett family founded a charitable organization, Jonny’s Bags that help families at Children’s Hospital ICU by providing items of comfort and support. For additional information please visit https://www.
jonnyhackettmemorialfund.com/
