George Nakashima: Wood, Spirit, and the Art of Listening

George Nakashima: Wood, Spirit, and the Art of Listening

George Nakashima often described himself as a “Druid,” a reflection of his belief that trees are living beings with spirit, and that wood is a material to be honored rather than controlled. He spoke of “listening” to the wood—allowing its grain, knots, and natural irregularities to shape the final form.

For Nakashima, furniture-making transcended craftsmanship; it became a ritual, a profound act of communion with nature, grounded in a moral and spiritual responsibility to respect the life of the tree.

Today, his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. It is held in major museum collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, LACMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Artist David Orr brings a distinctly personal perspective to Nakashima’s legacy. Raised near the Nakashima compound, he knew the family, attended school with George Nakashima’s grandchildren, and often visited the Nakashima offices where his mother worked during the 1970s and 1980s.

Join David as he shares the remarkable story of George Nakashima’s journey, reflects on how George’s spiritual side found voice in his woodworking, and shares how aspects of Nakashima’s practice informed his own art.

David Orr is a California-based visual artist whose work is exhibited and collected internationally. He has presented his work at institutions including Cal State LA, Chapman University, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Death Salon, Dublintellectual (Ireland), the Directors Guild of America, the Mütter Museum, The New School/Parsons School of Design, Reed College, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, UCLA, and The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles—where he established the contemporary arts program, served as curator, and founded the Hansell Gallery. He is a member of The Long Now Foundation.

http://www.david-orr.com

Philosophy of Design Series

This April and May, we celebrate the transformative power of design with a series of events examining the work of influential architects, artists, and designers. We'll explore how their unique philosophies and principles are reflected in their creations—works that not only shaped the way we view the world and experience space but open up new possibilities for ways of living.

Ticket price: $12 (in-person & online event)

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

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The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.

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