#InfiniteLA exploring Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors

In this video, we explore Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms through the idea of radical connectivity - creating power through networks of people. Father Greg Boyle practices radical connectivity by empowering the community through Homeboy Industries, an organization he founded that is now the largest gang intervention and rehab program in the world.

Last week's winner was Tammy Hornek, who answered our question, "Is there a place in your life where you have felt pressure to conform, but instead followed your own path?": "As a young artist growing up, I felt heavy pressure to do/be anything other than an artist. At that time and in my community, accountants were highly revered to be a respectable career choice. So, when asked as my introduction at a regional talent show, "what do you want to be when you grow up?", I stated "Accountant". The answer grew great applause. In school, I took accounting classes, because I was convinced it was the best path for me to make a good living. I remember sitting through those classes feeling tortured. I even turned down a scholarship to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for fear I would end up a 'starving artist'. I ended up going into business and working for the nations largest retailer. When I had children I then worked for the nations first Direct Sales company. It was in that time that I began to feel as if I had "lost myself". In my exploration of rediscovering myself, I came to realize that I truly wanted to be an artist and share my talent and love for life with the world. To that end, I formulated an art business plan that would ensure I was not a "starving artist". I realized that it might take a lot of time to sell a painting. So, instead, I would teach painting. I, now, am on my 6th year of teaching fun, challenging and exciting painting classes to adults who also lost their love for creating amidst their run up the corporate ladder. My goal is to give adults a confidence building experience where they can be proud of themselves for creating something they did not believe they could do. Then they take their painting home and share it on social media and as they collect compliments, they become like little children as they are reminded of what it feels like to be congratulated on a job well done. Creating helps them escape the stress of their lives and as we place deposits into adults confidence levels, their spirits soar to do greater things. One person at a time, I am making a difference by returning to my first love... art."

We explore Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms through the idea of self-obliteration - obliterating yourself to return to the infinite universe, to become a part of something bigger than yourself.  Benji Stanton teaches art in the Compton Unified School District at Davis Middle School. His classes are 100% funded through grassroots fundraising and community support. When there hasn't been enough funds available, Benji has spent money out of his own pocket to buy supplies. Through his art classes and student art projects, he creates a nurturing environment that encourages and inspires students to express themselves through art, to find their voices and to become creative, collaborative and confident.

Last week's winner was Amy Hughson, who answered our question, "When has creativity or art made you feel connected to others?: "Every time I see live theatre I am reminded of how art has the power to connect people from different walks of life. The live nature of theater creates a unique and special experience for the actors and audience that can never be replicated. The actors and the audience members go on a journey together, feeding off of each other, trying to make sense of human experiences and universal truths that bind us all together regardless of race, class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. That journey has the power to help us understand each other a bit better, something that our world needs desperately."

Share your answer on social media for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors (don't forget to hashtag your post with #infiniteLA). Submit your response by 11:59 p.m. on December 15, and we'll announce the winner on December 18. 

Benjamin Millepied is a Los Angeles-based French dancer, choreographer and filmmaker, who moves and searches with his body in the search for new paths. With dance rehearsals that can last two months, the repetition of movement so completely penetrates the body that it becomes automatic onstage. 

Millepied was a principal with the New York City Ballet, where he danced from 1995 to 2011. In 2010, Mr. Millepied choreographed and starred in the award-winning film, Black Swan. Two years later, he founded the LA Dance Project, a platform for the development, creation, support and presentation of world-class dance in Los Angeles. Comprised of an internationally acclaimed dance company, a brand new performance space in Los Angeles’ burgeoning Arts District, and a program of media initiatives, LADP promotes dance not only as an artistic practice but as a way of being in the world. LADP seeks to foster dance-centered artistic collaborations across all disciplines, cultures and communities in Los Angeles and around the globe. Since its founding, LA Dance Project’s company has toured and given master classes at international venues and festivals including the Holland Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, La Maison de la Danse, the Saitama Arts Center, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Shanghai and Bejing Opera House and Theatre du Chatelet. In the US, the company has performed at venues including Jacob’s Pillow, Brooklyn Academy of Music and New York City Center. In its home city of Los Angeles the company has performed at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, Union Station, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Since its founding, LA Dance Project’s company has toured and given master classes at international venues and festivals including the Holland Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, La Maison de la Danse, the Saitama Arts Center, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Shanghai and Bejing Opera House and Theatre du Chatelet. In the US, the company has performed at venues including Jacob’s Pillow, Brooklyn Academy of Music and New York City Center. In its home city of Los Angeles the company has performed at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, Union Station, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Video footage of dancer courtesy LA Dance Workout.

Last week's winner was Tony Shu (@mastermindsays), who answered our question, "What are your hopes for future generations": I hope that those who follow in our footsteps will be filled with such a sense of wonder that they can find happiness even in their everyday lives, that they remember to pause and to treasure those beautiful moments that can all too often be deceptively disguised as ordinary life... I hope that when they look around them, they will see more than the screens on their phones and more than photoshop and filters, that instead they would see sky and trees, oceans and sunsets, that they would see people and faces, and the laughter and the tears hidden in their eyes… I hope they will be brave enough to search for beauty, especially when it is hardest to find, and wise enough to understand when it is more important to be kind than it is to be right... I hope that they will grasp every day just how amazing it is that they are here in this magnificent world… to live and to breathe and to move… And I hope that one day, those who journey behind them will find themselves walking in the footsteps of giants and be inspired to stand as tall as they did... I hope..."

UCLA climate scientist Aradhna Tripati's ideas relate to the positive energy of human potential, which she believes is infinite in nature. Through her research and work as the Director of the Center for Diverse Leadership in Science, she works to connect earth science and social justice to create a more equitable and just world.

In the hopes of creating a better world for future generations, activist and artist Patrisse Cullors, who co-founded the #BlackLivesMatter movement with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, speaks out against racism and state violence through her work as an organizer and artist, inspiring people and the creation of new movements around the world.

We received so many wonderful submissions last week that we've decided to pick TWO winners, who answered our question, "When do you feel "Self-Obliteration" - like you're a part of something bigger than yourself?"

Through her spectacular burlesque shows, Dita Von Teese reveals how love and sexuality has transformed her, inspiring her audience to feel empowered to own their sexuality.

Last week's winners were:

@brain_on_fire (Dee Mack), who answered the question, "What do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?: "I hope to destigmatize mental illness by educating individuals, families and organizations. I am a proud social worker who has had the privilege of working with the homeless with mental illness and substance abuse as well as with children, adolescents, adults from all communities. My hope is that people will increase their understanding and not be fearful or judge mental of mental illness."

@Meiix3 (Melissa), who answered the question, "How has repetition helped you achieve a goal?": “Everything outdoors is moving. When I'm losing daylight, I have to position, adjust, focus, click, and review the shots repeatedly. In each setting, whether I'm on my feet or on my stomach, only after the process is ingrained I am free to capture the photo I need “Everything outdoors is moving. When I'm losing daylight, I have to position, adjust, focus, click, and review the shots repeatedly. In each setting, whether I'm on my feet or on my stomach, only after the process is ingrained, I am free to capture the photo I need." 

Artist Mark Bradford works in paint and community building through his Leimert Park foundation, Art + Practice. In this week's video, Bradford discusses exploring sites of urgency in his work, and how art makes him feel connected to others.

Last week's winner was @linnielinnn82, who pictures an ideal world as one in which every child is able to have basic human rights such as good healthcare and education.

Luz Rivas has built a her career at the intersection of engineering, education and public service — most recently as founder and executive director of DIY Girls, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing girls' interest and success in science and technology. Now, as the Commissioner of the Board of Public Works, Luz is working to create a brighter future for all Angelenos, and is continuing to inspire and work with girls in science and technology.

Luz began her professional career as an electrical design engineer for Motorola after earning a Bachelor of Science from M.I.T. Her passion to get kids interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)  led her to pursue a Master of Education from Harvard University. For the last 15 years, Luz has worked at nonprofits, museums and universities where she has developed partnerships between educators and STEM research institutions to make cutting-edge science content accessible for K-12 students. She taught service learning for engineering undergraduates at USC, and worked to increase diversity at Caltech. Additionally, Luz has collaborated with engineers, planners and environmentalists to develop environmental technology curriculum for high school students and worked on NASA and National Science Foundation funded projects that aimed to increase access to STEM in community-based organizations. 

Last week's winner was Tony Shu (@mastermindsays), who answered our question, "What are your hopes for future generations?": I hope that those who follow in our footsteps will be filled with such a sense of wonder that they can find happiness even in their everyday lives, that they remember to pause and to treasure those beautiful moments that can all too often be deceptively disguised as ordinary life... I hope that when they look around them, they will see more than the screens on their phones and more than photoshop and filters, that instead they would see sky and trees, oceans and sunsets, that they would see people and faces, and the laughter and the tears hidden in their eyes… I hope they will be brave enough to search for beauty, especially when it is hardest to find, and wise enough to understand when it is more important to be kind than it is to be right... I hope that they will grasp every day just how amazing it is that they are here in this magnificent world… to live and to breathe and to move… And I hope that one day, those who journey behind them will find themselves walking in the footsteps of giants and be inspired to stand as tall as they did... I hope..."

Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist at CalTech in Pasadena, shows the public how to use technology to process and share information about earthquakes, while emphasizing the need for emotional tools that help people take action when an earthquake hits. 

Last week's winners were:

@brain_on_fire (Dee Mack), who answered the question, "What do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?: "I hope to destigmatize mental illness by educating individuals, families and organizations. I am a proud social worker who has had the privilege of working with the homeless with mental illness and substance abuse as well as with children, adolescents, adults from all communities. My hope is that people will increase their understanding and not be fearful or judge mental of mental illness."

@Meiix3 (Melissa), who answered the question, "How has repetition helped you achieve a goal?": “Everything outdoors is moving. When I'm losing daylight, I have to position, adjust, focus, click, and review the shots repeatedly. In each setting, whether I'm on my feet or on my stomach, only after the process is ingrained I am free to capture the photo I need “Everything outdoors is moving. When I'm losing daylight, I have to position, adjust, focus, click, and review the shots repeatedly. In each setting, whether I'm on my feet or on my stomach, only after the process is ingrained, I am free to capture the photo I need."