TMI VI: Perception as Participation
SATURDAY November 22 | 2025
Problem Library, 1288 15th Ave
San Francisco CA 94122
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TMI VI: Perception as ParticipationSATURDAY November 22 | 2025 Problem Library, 1288 15th Ave
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Seen enough? |
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Morning Session |
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| The History of Arts Education part 2 | 10:15 AM → 11:30 AM |
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A continuation of their talk in PL's summer season, Daniel and Nicole will share their original research into the history of arts education in San Francisco.
San Francisco has a storied history of community-led arts education, from long-standing juggernauts like the California College of the Arts and the now-defunct San Francisco Art Institute, to influential experiments like the Alvarado School Art Workshop and The Rudolph Schaeffer School of Design. These schools and their associated scenes nurtured generations of artists, thinkers, and builders who shaped the global image of San Francisco as a cultural haven. By revisiting these examples, we can draw lessons and inspiration about how to build similar spaces today. These histories sharpen our thinking as we consider: What are we offering young creatives today? What conditions are we creating for discovery, risk, and deep engagement? How do we build on the legacies of foundational institutions? Daniel Lucas is Problem Library's Education Director and heads The School of Other Fields, a program for young creatives in the Bay Area. Nicole Meldahl is a San Francisco historian and Executive Director of Western Neighborhoods Project. |
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| Reading discussion with Conviviality Cohort | 11:30 AM → 12:45 PM |
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A Too Much Information tradition! You Li of the Conviviality Cohort will moderate a reading discussion on place and community.
We will be reading: People, Land, and Community by Wendell Berry
People, Land, and Community is an E.F. Schumacher Society lecture by Wendell Berry that argues a deep connection to one's "home place" is essential for creating a responsible "husbandry" that benefits people, the land, and the community. It critiques how industrial economies break these connections, making it hard to see their importance for sustainability and rural life. The text promotes the idea that commitment, knowledge, and affection for a place are necessary for good stewardship and a healthy local economy. Download a PDF of People, Land, and Community If you are joining for the reading discussion, please make sure you do the reading beforehand! Problem Library’s Conviviality Cohort brings together young artists interested in creating spaces for gathering and belonging, inspired by Ivan Illich’s vision of convivial societies: “I believe a desirable future depends on our deliberately choosing a life of action over a life of consumption, on our engendering a lifestyle which will enable us to be spontaneous, independent, yet related to each other, rather than maintaining a lifestyle which only allows us to produce and consume.” The Conviviality Cohort is made up of: creative technologist You Li, painters Alice Barreras and Nico Lown Heitz, and educator Sofia Belen. |
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| Tamara + Christine | 12:45 PM → 1:45 PM |
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An intimate and expansive conversation with Bay Area dance educator and activist-artist Christine Cali, moderated by Tamara Chu who is Christine’s longtime student and collaborator. Christine will reflect on decades of art-making, teaching, and organizing in the Bay Area and beyond, and the various projects, processes, and experiences that have shaped her approach to movement and life.
Following the conversation, Christine and Tamara will collaborate live on an improvised movement score, for all attendees to witness and optionally join. Christine Cali is a Bay Area dance educator and activist-artist. Tamara Chu is a dancer, web developer, and member of the Problem Library team. |
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| Community Music Hangout @ JFK Promenade | 2:00 PM → 3:00 PM |
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We will walk to Golden Gate Park and join the Community Music Hangout, an ongoing music jam open to all on JFK Promenade, before returning to Problem Library for the afternoon session. The Community Music Hangout is a free-wheelin’ open mic / singalong / jam session based at the Golden Mile Public Pianos in Golden Gate Park. We’re turning strangers into musical friends and you are invited to join the party! Players / singers of all levels are encouraged to participate! Bring songs, bring smiles, bring instruments, bring anything you think will add to the collective joy we’re trying to create. All forms of musical contribution are welcome. You don't have to play or sing to hang out at the Hangout, either. This weekend will mark the 130th edition of the Community Music Hangout! Dan Dectis is a musician, artist, and organizer of Community Music Hangout. Noah Solt is a musician and sailor.. |
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| Conversation with Dan Dectis | 3:00 PM → 3:30 PM |
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Dan Dectis, organizer of Community Music Hangout, will pause the Hangout to have a freewheeling conversation on CMH's history, its best moments, and community-building, playing music, and working in public spaces. Dan will be in conversation with Noah Solt.
After the conversation we'll make our way back to Problem Library for the afternoon session! Dan Dectis is a musician, artist, and organizer of Community Music Hangout. Noah Solt is a musician and sailor. |
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Afternoon session |
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| Live mixed accompaniment to silent film | 4:15 PM → 5:00 PM |
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Kia Kimera will live-mix an original ambient score set to archival San Francisco footage from the Prelinger Archives. You Li will provide live accompaniment with a DOL-0, a custom designed and built ambient sound and environmental noise generator, and Tamara Chu will provide live video mixing and support.
Kia Kimera is the music alter ego of Danny Jones. You Li 李尤 is a multimedia interaction designer and creative technologist based in San Francisco, US. Tamara Chu is a dancer, web developer, and member of the Problem Library team. |
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| Twelve Eighty-eight scent launch, with Dapo | 5:00 PM → 5:30 PM |
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Join us for the launch of Twelve Eighty-eight, Problem Library's first custom scent. Created in collaboration with Dapo Onikuyide of Venture, the scent is a blend of cedarwood, labdanum, and tonkabean crafted to reflect the ethos, spirit, and physical qualities of Problem Library's home at 1288 15th Ave.
Dapo will be in conversation with Blake Conway (the creative mind behind Problem Library's space design) to discuss the scent, the collaboration, and the creative elements that go into making unique and inspiring spaces. This is the first time the scent will be available for purchase, and TMI attendees will receive a special discount. The scent comes in packs of 10 incense sticks. Dapo Onikuyide is a founder of Venture. Blake Conway is a cratsfman and co-founder of Problem Library. |
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| Keynote w/ Daniel | 5:30 PM → 6:00 PM |
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Daniel Lucas will share reflections on another year of Problem Library and look ahead to the future.
Daniel Lucas is a designer and Education Director of Problem Library. |
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| Dinner | 6:00 PM → 7:00 PM |
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We will close out the day with a communal dinner. Please purchase a ticket that includes the dinner option if you plan to join us. |
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