Joy can be an act of defiance
A message of hope, unity, resilience, beauty and responsibility voiced by retirees. This is an immersive artwork created by a collaboration between Mt. San Antonio Gardens and ET Projects (https://elizabethturkstudios.com/et-projects/who-we-are/) to remind us of what is possible, together.
Staged at and by residents of MSAG, a ‘kaleidoscopic-rose window’ was created by filming the scene using drones. The participants moved in tandem under colorful umbrellas throughout several venues on their campus. “In play we can see each other again” remarked a masked participant.
The layers of the project tell stories of resilience and ultimately, the belief that one can “Look Up” and see through today into a more optimistic tomorrow. The umbrellas (“props”) are printed with Turk’s brightly colored drawings of plants which have unique histories of survival: gingko, lodgepole pine and poppies. The geometry of the different venues allowed residents to physically distance and informed the movement within each composition.
Under the umbrellas are older adults who, while their professional work may be complete, have much wisdom to share. The act of participating and sharing this experience allowed for this community to be a voice of hope to each other and the world. Capturing both intimate moments and spectacular aerial footage of the larger community en masse gave the participants a platform to create a beautiful message larger than themselves. The ripples of their optimism are just beginning!
Jay Labinger is a Gardens resident, he was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Jay received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. He attended Harvard University where he earned a Ph.D. He was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. His career has included positions with Occidental Research Corporation & Atlantic Richfield. He is the Administrator of Beckman Institute at the California Institute of Technology as well as a Faculty Associate in the Chemistry Department. He enjoys reading, playing the piano, tennis and traveling. He has published books on the history of chemistry, sociology of science and literature & science. Here at the Gardens, Jay is part of the Conservation & Sustainability Committee the Green Fund as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
Jane Hurd is a Gardens resident, she was born & raised in a small town in Arkansas. After she received her BA from the University of Arkansas she moved to California and taught seventh grade English in Porterville CA. After two years she moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Department of Health Services and pursued a master’s degree in public administration from USC. She served as CEO for two Los Angeles area hospitals. She continues to consult as an executive coach for CEOs of healthcare companies. She has served on several boards including Mutual of America Insurance Company, YMCA of Metropolitan LA, LA Visiting Nurses Association and Inland Empire Girl Scouts. Jane is an award-winning author and plays several musical instruments. Here at the Gardens, Jane is part of the newly formed Bequest Committee, as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
