Tao Ruspoli, an Italian-American filmmaker and co-founder of the Bombay Beach Biennale, invites festival producer Dulcinee DeGuere and neuroscientist Patrick House for a captivating discussion. They explore how inhospitable environments, like the Salton Sea, can breed creativity and the significance of confronting death to find meaning. The conversation delves into the Biennale's themes of hierarchy and community, questioning philosophical structures while celebrating the transformative power of art amidst contradictions and impermanence.
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Bombay Beach Origin
Bombay Beach, located below sea level, became a sea due to a man-made mistake in 1903.
Optimistic developers envisioned it as a desert paradise, but ecological imbalances led to its decline.
insights INSIGHT
Bombay Beach Contradictions
Bombay Beach embodies irresolvable contradictions: desert and sea, order and chaos, humor and tragedy.
This makes it attractive to artists who synthesize these contradictions into their work.
Folly and Intervention in the Southern California Landscape, 1905-2005
Kim Stringfellow
On a little known shore inland from Los Angeles lies a post apocalyptic seaside town and one of the art world’s most interesting happenings. Founded in 2015, Bombay Beach Biennale is a renegade celebration of art, music, and philosophy. Pushing through a few hours of sleep, cofounder Tao Ruspoli and I sat down at the Biennale for a conversation.
On the show we discuss the ecological and philosophical paradox of the Salton Sea and the strange fate of Bombay Beach. Tao shares why great art is made from irresolvable contradictions and inhospitable environments. We explore this year’s “Questioning Hierarchy” theme and Tao reveals how Bombay Beach changed him. We invite festival producer Dulcinee DeGuere and Neuroscientist Dr. Patrick House on stage to share the art of facilitation and intrusive déjà vu. Finally Tao shares his vision of life as a festival and how the existence of death is what makes meaning possible.
Tao Ruspoli an Italian-American filmmaker, photographer, musician, and co-founder of The Bombay Beach Biennale. His films include Fix, Being in the World, and the 2017 exploration of polyamory, Monogamish. Dulcinee DeGuere is also a filmmaker, this was her first year producing the Biennale. Tao hosts the Being in the World Podcast with neuroscientist Dr Patrick House.
Bombay Beach Biennale transforms abandoned housing, vacant lots, and decaying shoreline into a unique canvas for creative expression. Artists, philosophers, creators and makers across many mediums donate their time and talents to the volunteer-led happening.
Timestamps
:04 - Martin Heidegger and Being in the World
:10 - The fate of the Salton Sea
:17 - Great art is made from irresolvable contradictions and inhospitable environments
:26 - Honoring the memory of one of Bombay Beach’s great artists Steve “Shig” Shigley
:34 - Questioning Hierarchy
:41 - How Bombay Beach changed Tao
:46 - Festival producer Dulcinee DeGuerre and the art of facilitation and the challenge of self-care
:59 - Neuroscientist Dr. Patrick House and the intrusive deja vu of Bombay Beach
1:16 - How to live your life like a festival
Links:
Tao Ruspoli: https://www.taoruspoli.com/
Bombay Beach Biennale: http://www.bombaybeachbiennale.org/
Being in the World Podcast: http://www.beingintheworld.com/
Dulcinee DeGuere: https://www.dulcinee.fyi/
“Greetings From the Salton Sea: Folly and Intervention in the Southern California Landscape, 1905-2005” by Kim Stringfellow: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Greetings-Salton-Sea-Intervention-California/dp/1935195328
Life is a Festival 