Please join us as we return to in-person talks in the cinema space at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center!

Our homes are disappearing. The crisis is already part of our lexicon—when someone owes more than a house is worth, people say the mortgage is “underwater.” During the 2008 global financial crisis, that phrase was figurative, but with the present deluge of climate change fueled disasters, it is becoming increasingly literal. Vulnerable neighborhoods like the one I grew up in are being erased by rising water and climate change.

For his talk, Matt will discuss Tide, a new body of sculpture and interactive installations that address the next global housing crisis: property that has lost its value due to extreme weather. This work remixes material science, sculpture, and big data to represent the visible and invisible forces governing the relationship between climate change and housing markets. Tide calls attention to the way individuals are often eclipsed in large-scale metaphors for growth or risk, though they often carry the heavy burden of this uncertainty.

*Following the University at Buffalo’s on-campus protocols, beginning October 1, all attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to be admitted to Scholars@Hallwalls. A vaccination card, a photo of a vaccination card, an Excelsior Pass or a digital vaccine card are all acceptable. Attendees should be prepared to show photo ID as well. We kindly request that attendees wear masks indoors during the talk in the cinema for the safety and well-being of all guests.

This event will be simultaneously live-streamed. CLICK HERE to watch the live-stream video.

About Matt Kenyon, Associate Professor of Art

Kenyon’s work has been exhibited internationally and collected by institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It has received a number of awards including the distinguished FILE Prix Lux Art prize. Reproductions of SWAMP’s work have been featured in mainstream publications such as Wired and Gizmodo, and also appear in edited volumes such as A Touch of Code (Gestalten Press) and Adversarial Design (MIT Press).

Kenyon is a 2015 TED fellow and a Macdowell fellow. He was recently selected for Coolhunting’s CH25 a showcase of creators and innovators from a broad range of disciplines who are currently working to drive the world forward.