Influence & Inspiration: Working with the Harrisons

The Harrisons—Helen Mayer Harrison (1927-2018) and Newton Harrison (1932-2022)—are recognized as pioneers in integrating art and ecology into a new form of practice. Over more than fifty years, they collaborated with biologists, ecologists, architects, urban planners, and other artists to foster interdisciplinary dialogues. Their visionary projects occasionally influenced governmental policy and expanded discussions on previously unexplored issues, leading to practical implementations across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Contributors to this round table, include local San Diegan artists and curators who will shared insights from their experiences working with the Harrisons. They reflect on how these collaborations shaped, transformed, and developed their own practices. Some describe how the Harrisons lifted the constraints of their disciplines and transformed their thinking, while others emphasize the profound empathy and love, both between the Harrisons themselves and towards a broader ecological consciousness, that they inspired.

Panelists:

• Ruth Wallen, 
• Leslie Ryan, 
• Robin Brailsford,

Moderator:

• Tatiana Sizonenko,

Discussion Topics:

• The Harrisons' Influence on Contemporary Environmental Art
• Collaborative Processes with the Harrisons
• Personal Experiences and Stories from the Field
• The Future of Environmental Art and Activism

Q&A Session: Following the panel discussion, there will be a Q&A session where attendees can engage with the panelists and gain deeper insights into their experiences and the lasting legacy of Helen and Newton Harrison.