I collaborate on creating unique team and morale building events as well as what I call “social installations” — curated gatherings that shine a light on critical social and cultural issues, inviting participants to deepen how they relate to themselves and others. I work with a wide range of groups and organizations to create memorable and meaningful experiences which advance your culture, mission and impact at staff retreats, workshops and other venues.

Below are a few social installations I’ve created over the years:

The Freedom Project

On July 4th, 2014, the late Carmen Santaella and I visited Union Square in New York City to spark “conversational fireworks” about freedom and democracy on the 238th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Freedom Project was a response to our observation that, on the one hand, Americans seem freer than ever and have more choices. On the other hand, many of us struggle against psychological limits while also questioning how free we really are as citizens of a corporate-controlled, politically dysfunctional society where people in the U.S. and around the world — from Venezuela to Syria — are denied basic freedoms. We sought to inspire thought and catalyze a global conversation exploring internal and external freedom in the U.S. and beyond, asking participants questions such as:

• How do you define freedom?

• In what ways do you currently exercise your freedom personally? Politically?

• In what ways would you like to have more freedom?

• What would you like to be free of?

“It’s uplifting to see individuals combine artistic creativity and social activism in this way. It made me think about and appreciate my freedom more deeply.”

—Freedom Project participant

“In thinking more about freedom, I realized what a captive I am to my thoughts. I normally think about it in terms of political freedom, but you’ve helped me see that there’s a lot more we can do inside our own minds to be freer.”

—Freedom Project participant

The Love Letters Project

In 2013, I held a one-of-a-kind event ritualizing and celebrating the power of love in our digital age — a “spontaneous salon” and art installation. The event sprang from my belief that something is really out of balance in our culture: we’re engaged in constant communication with our devices and social media, yet we seem to have less time for more meaningful conversations and rituals. Undoubtedly, technology has significant benefits—it brings us information and entertainment and can sometimes spark and even help to maintain both revolutions and relationships, but it can’t replace the focus and presence that nurtures the kind of intimacy that makes life truly fulfilling. Prior to the event, I invited people to unplug from technology and write a love letter to themselves or someone else. Dozens of people wrote letters, which I displayed along with other audio/visual interactive features and a communal feast. Here’s a video of the event to give you a flavor of the magic that we created!

“Thank you for taking risks to bring your inspiration into form! I appreciate all you’ve done to make ‘Love Letters’ come to life.”

—Love Letters participant

“What a brilliant dose of love and positivity.”

—Love Letters participant

Home Is Where the Heart Is

In 2004, I self-published a book of poems called On Rendering Heartbreak Obsolete. In the same year, I created a multi-disciplinary installation in my home which consisted of personal objects assembled with a selection of my poems. Guests at the event were greeted by me in the guise of a 1950’s homemaker and treated to apple pie, commentaries on the myth of the “happy” American home at the core of the poems.

“Extraordinary! I could read Found many times over.”

—Home is Where the Heart Is participant

“What is important and necessary has evolved for me.”

—Home is Where the Heart Is participant

“This is extraordinary — so personal, beautiful, poignant… thank you for the experience.”

—Home is Where the Heart Is participant