World renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky and the Honorable Helen Clark will come together at the Westport Arts Center on October 8 to discuss the impact of key environmental issues. The discussion, moderated by Westport Arts Center Director of Visual Arts Helen Klisser During, will be preceded by a cocktail reception with Mr. Burtynsky and Ms. Clark. The event will begin at 6pm, tickets are $50.
“Having Edward Burtynsky and Helen Clark come together at the Westport Arts Center is an honor and something very special,” says Helen Klisser During. “They both are recognized leaders in raising awareness of humankind’s effect on our environment, albeit in highly different ways. Their talk is sure to be a fascinating look at the intersection of arts and politics in the fight to create a better world and not destroy it.”
Edward Burtynsky is best known for his remarkable photographs, which explore the intricate links between industry and nature and find beauty and humanity in the most unlikely of places. He is an avid lecturer and has spoken at acclaimed institutions including National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, The Canadian Center for Architecture in Montreal, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the TED conference, Idea City, and Ryerson University in Toronto. His work is included in the collections of over 60 major museums around the world and is now on view at the Arts Center’s exhibition Edward Burtynsky: Nature Speaks.
The Honorable Helen Clark is the Administrator of the UNDP, which helps to build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. The environmental branch of the UNDP oversees over 6,000 projects in 177 countries. Ms. Clark is the first woman to hold the position of UNDP Administrator. She recently spoke at a high level meeting about poaching and illicit wildlife trafficking and traveled to Armenia to meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. While Prime Minister, Ms. Clark advocated for New Zealand’s comprehensive sustainability program and for addressing the problems of climate change, aiming to establish New Zealand as a leader in addressing these challenges.
The discussion is part of the Arts Center’s In Conversation series, which brings notable speakers for informative discussions, most recently featuring iconic painter, Robert Cottingham in conversation with Robert Storr, Professor of Painting and Dean of the School of Art at Yale University and commissioner of the 2007 Venice Biennale.“Edward Burtynsky: Nature Speaks” is sponsored by the Hall Art Foundation. The media sponsor is Connecticut Cottages & Gardens and the reception sponsor is U.S. Trust, Bank of America private Wealth Management.