We had the good fortune of connecting with Hana Azab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hana, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’ve been spending a lot of time in public spaces like the Central Library in Downtown LA, the Beverly Hills Library, and Brand Park/Art Center. These places feel like a Renaissance painting coming to life, filled with stories that reflect the diverse lives of the city. At the Central Library, for instance, you might see someone with all their belongings in a cubicle next to me, accompanied by a stack of books. Nearby, a family is spread out across sections, or in the makerspace, someone is 3D printing their next big idea. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how these spaces bring together such a rich mix of people, all contributing to and imagining a better future by simply taking up space in a community haven.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is an ever-expanding web of curiosity, passion, and devotion, which makes me proud and dedicated to no end.

Just yesterday, I was in a moment of ebb, speaking to my sister about the vision I hold for the Symbiocene—an era defined by harmony between nature, humanity, and technology. A return to understanding humanity as part of nature rather than in opposition to it. I was overwhelmed by the distance between where we are today—a period defined by human impact (the Anthropocene)—and this future vision. But then I remembered the potency of cultural narratives in shaping collective visions. So, I guess what sets my work apart and allows me to flow is that I live in optimism. I imagine and build the foundation for 2050, feel near to 2075, and hold immense hope for a symbiotic 22nd century. Faith and patience. A deep, unwavering commitment to communicating this vision through any medium necessary, to start a movement based on access and abundance for our future generations.

Arriving in this unrelenting space of tangible optimism hasn’t been easy. I’ve been privileged with a lifetime of hurdles and sorrow that have prepared me for this moment. It is through obstacles that we create fertile ground for opportunity.

Recently, I taught a lecture at the UCLA Art & Science Institute called “How to Clone Your World: Simulation & the Ethics of Innovation.” I exposed students to futurecasting theories and techniques before we used games as simulations to respond to complex global issues. Within two hours, the students effortlessly applied their learning to games aligned with the UN 2030 objectives to end poverty, world hunger, and adapt to climate change.

That’s what I want the world to know—not only is a better future possible and plausible, it is imminent.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ah! I love this question. I am a big fan of City of Gold, a documentary on Jonathan Gold, an LA food critic who explored the tapestry of cultures in our great sunny city. That would be the prelude to the visit. LA is not a melting pot but a sprawling post-modern metropolis with cultures desperately holding on to their traditions. So, the itinerary would go something like this:

Required:

Drive up the coast to Point Dume beach, with a stop for seafood on the way.
Architecture crawl through my favorite projects in Bel Air, all the way through South Central LA (I call this the Divine Comedy Drive)—Heaven is at Holbox, with a stop at Watts Towers.
Dinner at Jitlada (Best Thai food in town).
Beach day at Lechuza.
Gallery crawl, starting with Jeffrey Deitch.
More food: Sushi Fumi or Gos Mart, depending on the budget, or Hama Sushi (Little Tokyo Stroll).
Downtown LA Library workday, followed by an afternoon at Santee Alley (all my friends love to make stuff).
Early morning hike in Angeles National Forest, followed by a food crawl in the San Gabriel Valley/Alhambra (Best Asian food in the country outside of Flushing, Queens).
Street tacos at Angels in NoHo.
Tea @ Shiloh for a calm jazz experience.
The North Star is always going to be great food, music, or art.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We stand on the shoulders of giants, no question. There is an ecosystem of support and wisdom that I attribute to and hold my work accountable to. Always, my family, whose faith and unwavering belief lay the foundation of my life. My mentors and collaborators—Elise Co, Marion Tanis, Michael Washington, and Shiloh Enoki—the list goes on. Each of them is working on profound contributions to the world and their communities. The Design Justice Network led by Sasha Costanza, Lo-Tek: Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson, and Material Ecology by Neri Oxman are books and visionaries I look to often. In a world drowning in information, they provide constant wisdom for ways of being that have stood the test of time and can help us usher in an ethical, sustainable, and inspiring world.

Website: https://www.kinshipthegame.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanaaazab

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-azab/

Image Credits
Sid Singh

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