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Join us for the second session of Active Cultures’ Book Club, where we’ll be discussing Blockchain Chicken Farm: And Other Stories of Tech in China’s Countryside (2020) by Xiaowei Wang. In the book, Xiaowei Wang explores how rural China has embraced and innovated technology, even shaping global tech. From pork farmers using AI to produce the perfect pig, to disruptive luxury counterfeits and the political intersections of e-commerce villages, the author connects globalization, technology, agriculture, and commerce. Blockchain Chicken Farm offers an original and probing exploration of innovation, connectivity, and collaboration within the digitized rural world. This insightful look is complemented by humorous “Sinofuturist” recipes, which frame meals as they undergo transformations through new technologies. The Book Club is free and open to all. Sign up to receive our Book Club newsletter, which include full location details prior to each session, at the link in bio! — The Active Cultures Book Club invites our community to engage with texts that delve into the interconnectedness of art, food, and ecologies through collective reading and conversation.
Last week we gathered for a screening of Jumana Ma Last week we gathered for a screening of Jumana Manna’s Wild Relatives, followed by a conversation between Nanette Orly and Nina Raj, founder and steward of the Altadena Seed Library. Together we discussed the implications of seed storage, the risks of institutional vaults and local community preservation systems, and traced the stories of seeds and movements of people and plants across borders—thinking about what it means to protect and share the knowledge that sustains us. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first part of this film series. We can’t wait to see you at the second iteration of this series later this year 🌱 @jumanamanna @altadenaseedlibrary @ninaraj @nanettekorly @now_instant ——— Seeds is a three-part cinematic meditation on new beginnings, hidden power, and pivotal transformation presented by Active Cultures and Now Instant. This series is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Scenes from our first Book Club meeting, hosted by Scenes from our first Book Club meeting, hosted by our friends @arlingtonpasadena in their Pomegranate Amphitheater. Thank you to everyone who joined! Together we spent the afternoon in conversation about Southern California’s citrus economy and the labor movements that emerged in the industry, and the legacies of these labor practices in the current day. Up next we’ll be reading Blockchain Chicken Farm: And Other Stories of Tech in China’s Countryside (2020) by Xiaowei Wang in November. 📚 For info about upcoming book selections as well as to receive Book Club emails, see the Link in Bio! —— The AC Book Club invites our community to engage with texts that delve into the interconnectedness of art, food, and ecologies through collective reading and conversation.
AC and Now Instant present Seeds, a three-part cin AC and Now Instant present Seeds, a three-part cinematic meditation on new beginnings, hidden power, and pivotal transformation.  The series begins with Jumana Manna's Wild Relatives (2018), tracing the intricate journey of seed distribution from Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley to the global seed vault in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.  The program is followed by a discussion with Nina Raj, founder and steward of Altadena Seed Library, as we talk about seed banking, the importance of biodiversity, and the vital role our community plays in restoring local ecosystems. In lieu of purchasing a ticket for the screening, we are asking all attendees to make a donation to @thesameerproject. This Palestinian-led initiative is dedicated to providing tents, medical aid, and clean water to displaced families in Gaza, while operating community kitchens to feed those in need. A donation receipt is required for entry, though because capacity is limited, RSVPs are required as well. 🌱 To learn more about The Sameer Project and to donate, visit our link in bio. 🌱 To RSVP for this event, visit our link in bio @jumanamanna @now_instant @altadenaseedlibrary @ninaraj
Announcing the Active Cultures Book Club! 📚 Th Announcing the Active Cultures Book Club! 📚 The series invites our community to engage with texts that delve into the interconnectedness of art, food, and ecologies through collective reading and conversation. Guided by Curator Nanette Orly (@nanettekorly ), the bi-monthly book club provides an open and welcoming platform for critical thinking and discussion. Bi-monthly meetings will be held on the first Saturday of the month, starting September, in various parks, gardens, and public spaces throughout Los Angeles. Registration is free and open to all.  🪴 Sign up at the link in bio to learn more and to receive Book Club communications.
We’re still glowing from our Summer Solstice eve We’re still glowing from our Summer Solstice event held at the Audubon Center at Debs Park! As ever, we’re so thankful for all the artists and friends who made this program possible, and to our community for showing up. The program featured a collaborative meal by chef Jihee Kim of Perilla LA and artist Eva Aguila; a new performance by Olive Kimoto, a self-guided plant walk design by Andrea Jimenez of Herb Club LA, and a compost offering by Cassandra Marketos, which transformed the organic remnants from our communal meal into a space for personal reflection and release.  A special thank you to our friends at Living Earth for providing an ambient backdrop of solar soundscapes throughout the evening. @evaguila @cjihee_kim @_perilla.la @olivekimoto @herbclub_la @oof_dre @cassmarketos @livingearth.la @audubon_debspark Support for Summer Solstice was provided by William Grant & Sons. Special thanks to The Audubon Center for their enduring partnership. Summer Solstice, 2025, featuring Eva Aguila, Herb Club LA, Living Earth, Jihee Kim, Olive Kimoto, and Cassandra Marketos at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Photos by John Jay (@johnjay.img ). Courtesy of the artists and Active Cultures.

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