ArtCenter College of Design Explores the Intersection of Sustainability and Design with Discussion and Screening of Seaweed Stories

Continuing its exploration of issues related to sustainable design, on Monday, November 18, ArtCenter will present Unwrapping the Future: Designing for a Sustainable Tomorrow, an evening looking at the use and creation of sustainable materials by designers, featuring a limited screening of the documentary Seaweed Stories, followed by a panel discussion.

Seaweed Stories, presented by Lonely Whale, an award-winning nonprofit working to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean, in association with conservation organization Re:wild, explores seaweed’s role as a multitasking sustainability superhero for those on a quest to replace thin-film plastics and sequester carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Executive-produced by ArtCenter Trustee and Founder of Trousdale Ventures, Phillip Sarofim and narrated by Forest Whitaker, the film takes a vibrant and global look at the wonders of the often-overlooked marine organism.

Following the viewing, a panel of experts will explore the importance of design and storytelling in forging new pathways into a more sustainable future. The panel will feature, Seaweed Stories director, Jake Sumner, Julia Marsh; co-founder and CEO of Sway, a material innovation startup featured in the film, which won first place in The TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize powered by Lonely Whale; ArtCenter Associate Professor Kristine Upesleja, an expert in biomaterials and biofabrication; and alum Margaux Reynolds (BS 19), senior design strategist at Designworks, a BMW Group Company; and will be moderated by Jieon Choi (BS 24), student ambassador, Engineering for One Planet grant project.

“When it comes to sustainability, it often requires us to come up with innovative approaches and the answer is often hidden in nature,” said president Karen Hofmann, adding that the event is another example of ArtCenter’s diverse programming that urges students to think creatively. “The College is dedicated to nurturing interdisciplinary talent at the intersection of design and technology with a focus on making our world a better place.”

As part of ArtCenter’s continuing mission to empower emerging designers, the event hopes to facilitate discourse among future innovators to solve one of humanities’ biggest challenges.

About Seaweed Stories and Lonely Whale
Seaweed Stories is presented by award-winning nonprofit Lonely Whale in conjunction with Unwrap the Future, the organization’s program dedicated to displacing traditional thin-films made from petrochemicals, which are nearly impossible to recycle. Launched by Lonely Whale, Unwrap the Future aims to accelerate the adoption of prize-winning plastic alternatives in order to reduce demand for traditional thin-films, which make up nearly half of all new plastic waste entering the ocean each year.

Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF4bSX74cl4

More information about the panelists can be found on the event page.