Parsons ELAB

Founded in 2014, the Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab) is an innovative initiative nurtured within the School of Design Strategies at The New School. ELab is dedicated to empowering students and recent alumni from all graduate programs by providing entrepreneurial education, hosting dynamic events, conducting cutting-edge research, and offering robust support mechanisms.

As a hub for creativity and innovation, ELab bridges the gap between art, design, and business, equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. By fostering a culture of collaboration and experimentation, ELab encourages students to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace entrepreneurial thinking in their respective fields.

In a recent lecture hosted by ELab, Grimanesa Amorós shared her artistic practices and insights with students and art enthusiasts. Known for her large-scale light installations and interdisciplinary works, Amorós offered a behind-the-scenes look into her creative process. She discussed how her work reflects her Peruvian heritage while addressing universal themes of cultural identity, social issues, and human connection.

Amorós also highlighted the challenges and rewards of creating commissioned works, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and adaptability. Her talk underscored the role of art in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, inspiring attendees to explore new possibilities and push creative boundaries.

Through collaborations with visionaries like Amorós, ELab continues to foster a vibrant community of creative entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of art, design, and business.

(0:19) Thank you, for your kind introduction and good afternoon to everyone. I’m delighted to be with you all this afternoon.

(0:28) The experience in the, and what I have been able to see what people reactions are.

(0:39) I’m obsessed with the desert as much as I’m with the foam.

(0:55) To me, so it’s always very clear about which are the responsibilities for me from my artist’s point of view, and which are the ones from the commissioner. They have to want to make the project as much as I want to.

(1:20) I only use LEDs. I never use fiber optics. I like the LEDs because, you know, it’s uninterrupted and could program. I could do so much more than the fiber optics.

(1:39) Sometimes it could come as fast as an hour or sometimes I could be there in the studio, five, six hours just drawing. Besides making a previous two week at least, research and development about the location, the culture, a lot of the plans where the piece is gonna be.