For the fall 2020 season we took a look back as we go forward. We talked with some of our past participants, to see what they are up to, and to ask if their respective Catalyst conversations have stayed with them, how have they changed, and how they are dealing with the current moment. Director Deborah Davidson continued that conversation with some of our wonderful speakers, both scientists and artists.

September 9, 6-7pm 
Immunologist Joe Akin says that there is a direct through line from some of the ideas sparked in his Catalyst conversation (February 13, 2019, Democratizing Art and Science, Joe Akin and Jason Talbot) to the creative solution of his recent project CoVis, which was created with the intent to make important biomedical laboratory research on coronavirus infection and COVID-19 disease more discoverable. CoVis is a collaboration between ReFigure and Open Knowledge Maps.

Joe and Deborah sat down for a socially distanced visual podcast this summer and continued the conversation over zoom.

September 23, 6-7pm 
Artist Andrew Yang (June 2, 2016, Theories, Things and Creatures, Andrew Yang and Naomi Pierce) is both a scientist and an artist. He says “If Nature is a hypothesis, then we are a makeshift contraption to experiment with both science and art practices.” He expresses his curiosity in the natural world through making objects, installations, and texts as a means to meaning.

October 14, 6-7pm - Video Unavailable
Author and Psychologist Deirdre Barrett (September 15, 2016, Between Wonder and the Monstrous, Sean Foley and Deirdre Barrett) has written four books: Supernormal Stimuli, Waistland, The Committee of Sleep, and The Pregnant Man & Other Cases from a Hypnotherapist’s Couch. Her most recent book Pandemic Dreams is a collection of vivid COVID-19-related dreams accompanied by her advice for practical exercises to control stress and anxiety while asleep.

December 2, 6-7pm 
Artist Brian Knep (October 22, 2018, Something From Nothing, Brian Knep and Andrew Witt) is a media artist whose works range from large-scale interactive installations to microscopic sculptures for nematodes. He was the first artist-in-residence at Harvard Medical School, working side-by-side with scientists, using their tools and techniques to explore alternative meanings and ways of connecting to the world. We have been in conversation with Brian a long while, as he participated in the Catalyst Conversations launch in 2012.

Our virtual fall programs were made possible by a grant from The City of Cambridge's Community Benefits Stabilization Fund. Please consider helping us fund future programs with a donation.