The AWA AGORA Podcast

Today we are thrilled to share part 3 in a series of stories from Abhay Wadhwa about his book "Contextualizing Light" (website) that was released in June 2020. In part 3 of this series about the reasons behind writing this book, Abhay talks about cultural approaches when undertaking a project and the reasons this book is important. This is a book that Abhay and his team have tirelessly worked on for several years documenting AWA projects in their relevance to stories that they tell and also ...

In this episode, Abhay Wadhwa talks with Arnab Bishnu Chowdhury (https://www.ninad.in/). Arnab is the founder of “Know Your Rhythm” - a training program that helps participants discover their own sense of Rhythm in life and work, creating 'conditions' to experience Aha! Moments, raising well-being, wellness, empathy, teamwork, and leadership. They also discuss results from a Pilot Study on “The Effect Of Music On Healthcare Professionals Working in Covid-19 Isolation Wards.” Arnab sha...

Today we are thrilled to share part 2 in a series of stories from Abhay Wadhwa about his book "Contextualizing Light" (website) that was released in June 2020. In part 2 of this series about the reasons behind writing this book, Abhay talks about problem-solving with light. This is a book that Abhay and his team have tirelessly worked on for several years documenting AWA projects in their relevance to stories that they tell and also compiling all the writings from the previous 25 years about...

In this episode, Abhay Wadhwa talks with the incredibly talented artist Tara Boirard, from New York, about the Theme You Are Powerful. Tara works in pastels, acrylic, and oil paint and she has pieces that are political and speak against social injustice and also others that display a softer side of life. She is an incredible artist, and Abby even owns some of her unique works. Join them for a powerful and exciting conversation. Tara shared visuals with Abhay during the discussion. You can w...

Today we are thrilled to share part 1 in a series of stories from Abhay Wadhwa about his book "Contextualizing Light" (website) that was released in June 2020. In part 1 of this series about the reasons behind writing this book, Abhay talks about why people should care. This is a book that Abhay and his team have tirelessly worked on for several years documenting AWA projects in their relevance to stories that they tell and also compiling all the writings from the previous 25 years about ou...

This episode features a conversation recorded in December of 2020 between Abhay and Dr. Jacob Liberman about “Seeing beyond 2020.” A discussion about our purpose in the world and what is next. Dr. Jacob Liberman is a pioneer in the field of light, vision, and consciousness and the author of Luminous Life: How The Science Of Life Unlocks The Art of Living and other books. Jacob shared visuals with Abhay during the discussion. You can watch the video that includes all the visuals HERE 🔴 Subs...

In this episode, host Abhay Wadhwa talks with Doreya Karim about “Biogeometry”. Doreya is the Director and Vice-President of BioGeometry (WEBSITE.) BioGeometry uses specially designed shapes, color, sound, motion, and wave configuration, to induce harmony into biological subtle energy systems. It is a new field of science and a design language that deals with the energy of shapes and how shapes can be used to enhance the quality of life. Doreya shared visuals with Abhay during the disc...

Today we are thrilled to share with you the story of the making of Abhay Wadhwa’s book Contextualizing Light (website) that was released in June 2020. This is a book that Abhay and his team have tirelessly worked on for several years documenting AWA projects in their relevance to stories that they tell and also compiling all the writings from the previous 25 years about our zeitgeist and how context is a big driver for lighting design solutions in architectural spaces. Abhay shared visuals ...

In this episode, Abhay Wadhwa talks with Joel Bergner about “Art-Making with Communities in Crisis.” Joel (https://joelartista.com/) is the Co-Founder of Artolution (https://www.artolution.org/). He is an artist, educator, and organizer of community-based public art initiatives with youth in conflict-affected and traumatized communities around the world, from Syrian refugee camps to American prisons; the favelas of Brazil to the Kibera Slum of Kenya. We are excited to talk with him about his ...

In this episode, Abhay Wadhwa talks with Thomas Vonier about “Improving Public Infrastructure.” Thomas is the president of the International Union of Architects (UIA), the only global organization representing the world’s 3.2 million architects. With a private practice based in Paris and Washington DC, Thomas was the 2017 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA.) Thomas discusses how we can make an impact on the future by improving public infrastructure. Thomas shared wi...

Today we are excited to have Jon Morris on the Podcast to discuss “Art In The Public Realm.” He talks with Jon about his journey growing up in rural Berea, Kentucky to acting in Hollywood founding The Windmill Factory in 2009 in Brooklyn NY. Jon is a conceptual artist who creates multilayered installations, performances, and experiences with the express intent of elevating his audience to a sublime state. Challenging the relationship between art and spectator Morris’ work is typically equal p...

Today we are excited to have Cary McQueen on the Podcast to discuss “The Role of Art in Mental Wellness.” Cary is is the founder and executive director of Art With Impact (https://artwithimpact.org/) and is a firm believer that art is the answer (and it doesn’t even matter what the question is). She considers mental health to be the foundation of all social justice and, through Art With Impact, works to create learning environments that explore this rich subject through the power of art and c...

Today we are excited to have a powerhouse architect and advocate Shawn Basler, AIA on the Podcast to discuss “International Collaboration in Architecture.” Shawn leads the global architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman as Co-CEO and Executive Director. Driven by a commitment to collaborative excellence, Shawn champions a culture of unity along with a purpose that design should have a positive impact on people and the environment worldwide. Shawn has decades of experience work...

Today we are excited to have a powerhouse architect and advocate Pascale Sablan on the Podcast to discuss “The Triple E & C: Beyond The Built Environment.” The Triple E & C method is a strategy to Engage, Elevate, Educate, and Collaborate. Pascale shares how she wants to promote agency among diverse audiences and advocate for equity in the built environment. She founded Beyond The Built Environment to address these inequitable disparities in architecture- one of the ways to address th...

Today's guests are Hiroshi Kono and Yasu Suzuki . Both of them are pioneers in developing a better understanding of contemporary Japanese cinema in the west. Hiroshi will share his journey from founding NY Japan CineFest in 2012 to now. Then Yasu who is an accomplished director and actor will share his process as a filmmaker and he will talk about his film the Apologizers. Finally, we will also discuss with both of them their thoughts about how the streaming industry is impacting the fu...

Today's Guest is Martha Schwartz. She is a landscape architect, urbanist, artist, and climate activist. She is also the Senior Partner at Martha Schwartz Partners and a tenured Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD.) She talks to us about Geoengineering and "How Can We Save The Planet?" Martha shared with Abhay visuals for the discussion. You can watch the video that includes all the visuals HERE Martha's Top 10 Reads (in or...

Listen to Abhay M Wadhwa's fantastic conversation with two-time Grammy winner Will Calhoun. Will talks about his journeys around the world connecting to ancient wisdom through music. Including his travels in Mali learning from the elders the real origins of blues music. 🔴 Subscribe to watch the live recordings on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/35fnkCL ✅ For show inquiries contact us at newyork@awalightingdesigners.com ✅ Let's connect: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWALight Instag...

We are excited to launch the premiere show of The AWA AGORA Podcast. The show hosted by Abhay M Wadhwa featured a discussion on "Iconoclasm in Lighting" with Dr. Mark Rea who has been a pioneer in the lighting industry over the last 30 years. 🔴 Subscribe to watch the live recordings on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/35fnkCL ✅ For show inquiries contact us at newyork@awalightingdesigners.com ✅ Let's connect: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWALight Instagram: https://www.ins...