AIRIE Asks: Gal Nissim Hybrid Zoom and AIRIE Nest Gallery
Gal Nissim shares an intimate look at their practice, process, and living in the Florida Everglades for a month.
WHO and WHAT:
Join us for a special AIRIE Asks with our May Fellow, Gal Nissim, hosted by our Residency Coordinator and 2022 AIRIE Fellow, Arsimmer McCoy.
The talk will be held at the AIRIE Nest Gallery in the Ernest F. Coe Visitors center in the Everglades National Park. Refreshments will be provided.
Gal Nissim is an Israel-born, New York-based, interdisciplinary artist and researcher who investigates human-animal interactions. Nissim’s work has been exhibited at the New Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Time Square, Pioneer Works, Central Park, New York Hall of Science, Artport Tel Aviv in Public Space, Science Gallery Detroit, GStreamer Conference (Berlin), among others.
Arsimmer McCoy, AIRIE Residency Coordinator, is a Miami Gardens, Florida-based storyteller, collaborative artist, educator, and cultural worker, who has been dedicated to these disciplines for over a decade. She has performed worldwide alongside artists of multiple disciplines and considers it her obligation to bring back the knowledge and stories to her students in South Florida.
WHEN: Monday, May 29, 2023
- 4:00 pm EST
WHERE: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center 40001 State Hwy 9336 Homestead, FL 33034
Potential interviews with:
· AIRIE’s May Fellow Gal Nassim
· Residency Coordinator and 2022 AIRIE Fellow, Arsimmer McCoy.
A special hybrid AIRIE Asks where we take a deep dive with May AIRIE Fellow Gal Nissim. Facilitated by our Residency Coordinator Arsimmer McCoy.
Gal Nissim Bio
Gal Nissim is an Israel-born, New York-based, interdisciplinary artist and researcher who investigates human-animal interactions. Nissim’s work has been exhibited at the New Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Time Square, Pioneer Works, Central Park, New York Hall of Science, Artport Tel Aviv in Public Space, Science Gallery Detroit, GStreamer Conference (Berlin), among others.
Nissim has participated in residencies and fellowships with, Artport, New Museum, Science Sandbox, LMCC Creative Engagement, Culture & Animals Foundation, NYFA, Google’s Experimental Storytelling, and the Weizmann Institute of Science for outstanding young researchers. She received her Master’s from NYU’s ITP. Nissim studied at Bezalel Academy of Art while earning her BSc, summa cum laude, in biology and cognitive science from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Nissim teaches at Columbia University at GSAAP, and NYU’s Environmental Studies, Animal Studies and ITP, Tisch. Currently, she is an Innovator in Residence at Rutgers University.
Gal Nissim is an interdisciplinary artist and a researcher who bridges art, science, and technology to create interactive work.
Nissim’s work is motivated by a deep fascination with humans’ relations with non-human animals. She examines these relations as instances of environmental harm and racism. Research and collaborations form the foundation of her creative process. Her work is directly inspired by recently possible technologies, natural sciences, and environmental justice. While technology is often used to shield us from nature, she utilizes it to employ joyful and social justice-oriented ways to bring people closer to nature. As an immigrant feminist, Nissim is eager to raise conversations across borders and to tell the stories of those who can’t advocate for themselves.
Her work has been exhibited worldwide including, NYCxDesign festival at Time Square, New York Hall of Science, Jerusalem Design Week, Science Gallery Detroit, Media Arts Gallery, and Concordia (Netherlands), GStreamer Conference (Berlin, Germany).
She is a recipient of grants and fellowships from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), Culture & Animals Foundation, NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program, HaPais Council for the Culture and Arts, ARTPORT Residency, Microsoft Design Expo Challenge, Experimental Storytelling research group by NYU and Google, Tisch GSO, and the Weizmann Institute of Science for outstanding young researchers. Currently, she is a member of NEW INC’s Creative Science track at the New Museum.
Nissim received her Master’s degree from the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She studied at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design while earning her Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in cognitive science and biology in the Special Honors Program from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Art Statement
I am motivated by a deep fascination with humans’ relations with non-human creatures. My work is directly inspired by recent possible technologies, natural sciences, and environmental justice, and my creative process is grounded in research and collaborations. While technology is often used to shield us from nature, I utilize it to help people to rebuild their relationship with the living world – to move from a place of disregard and disgust to a place of wonder and attachment. As an immigrant feminist, I’m eager to raise conversations across borders, both physical and mental, and invite my audience to re-evaluate their preconceptions of other species. I combine my background in biology, cognitive science, and art to create interactive, technology-enhanced works, often involving living organisms, that explore complex scientific themes. Like a therapist that guides you to a deeper understanding of your emotions, I create opportunities for people to reconnect deeply with nature.
How can we make the outdoors a space of belonging?
Seventy years into the Anthropocene, we find ourselves increasingly isolated and alone. The reports on biodiversity loss are staggering. In this world, humans and our livestock account for 96% of all mammal life on earth. A dominance that seems to require continuous expansion, claiming space from the remaining 4% of wild mammals.
I’m a strong believer in changing the conversation to spotlight the bright ideas, successful solutions, and passionate people working to protect our planet – the Earth Optimism movement. I believe that we need to embrace a multi-species perspective in order to create a sustainable way of life on earth. Art allows us to rethink our preconceptions about the non-human animals around us. How can we change the feeling of being a visitor to be present, and be part of this place we all call home? At AIRIE I aim to continue creating intimate experiences of discovery that reveal overlooked and unseen moments and enhance the sense of belonging.
Artists in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit operating in Everglades National Park and the Greater Miami Area. AIRIE supports a paid month-long immersive residency for artists in the park to explore the intersection of arts and the environment. In addition, AIRIE provides its own gallery space, organizes local events, and fosters community with a diverse team engaged in the Miami art scene.
At the AIRIE Nest Gallery, we have a chance to share some of the work from our Artist Fellows inspired by their residency in the Everglades. Please check our events page or subscribe to our newsletter below to stay informed of our gallery openings and events.
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