PICA audiences will remember Mammalian Diving Reflex from past projects Haircuts by Children (TBA:07) and All the Sex I’ve Ever Had (TBA:14). On February 10th, the company’s Artistic & Research Director, Darren O’Donnell, will present a lecture highlighting the group’s current international projects in Australia, the UK, Germany, and Toronto. Darren will share theories and methods behind the work, focusing on their performance and film work with children, youth, and the elderly, including young refugees in Germany. He will also outline the Mammalian Succession Model for Youth Engagement, developed in collaboration with Toronto youth and now being applied in the UK and Germany. Finally, he will address current ethical and political concerns, seeking to answer the question just how much should we expect from the arts?

Mammalian Diving Reflex's artistic practice is world-renowned, as are their innovative models for community, public, and youth engagement, which combine rigorous research, artistic ingenuity, experimentation, civic engagement, and audience participation. We are excited to welcome Darren to Portland throughout the year in a creative research capacity with PICA to advise on expanding youth access and engagement in contemporary art. This is one ofseveral events with Darren that will be open to the public in 2016.