Where Water Meets Wonder: Gregory Gavin’s Riveropolis

Rediscovering Connection Through the Power of Art, Not Screens

Step into the enchanting world of artist, inventor, and educator Gregory Gavin, where the analog meets the aquatic in his innovative Riveropolis installations. These mesmerizing interactive waterworks offer a refreshing escape from digital overload, inviting both children and adults to create intricate landscapes, boats, creatures, and more — powered by the simple magic of flowing water.

In this episode, Gregory shares the inspiring story behind his journey from filmmaker to the mastermind of Riveropolis, and how his unique background shaped the vision for these immersive, tactile experiences. We dive into themes of collaboration, creativity, play, and the vital role of hands-on art in today’s tech-driven world. Tune in and discover how Gregory’s work redefines how we come together through art and imagination.

Gregory Gavin is an artist, inventor, and educator whose work bridges the gap between technology and hands-on creativity. With a background in filmmaking, Gregory’s Riveropolis installations transform public spaces into interactive experiences that invite audiences of all ages to explore the tactile nature of art and play. His work aims to create a deeper connection to the natural world, fostering collaboration, imagination, and creativity in the digital age.

Gregory Gavin lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Trained as an architect at UC Berkeley, he has designed site-specific art installations for museums, schools, and public spaces since 1991. Gavin’s projects, ranging from woodworking and filmmaking to interactive waterworks, have engaged a broad diversity of participants.

Riveropolis Website

https://riveropolis.com/

Riveropolis Videos

An Afternoon in Culver City with Riveropolis
https://vimeo.com/368900435/04cfbf7308?&login=true#_=_

Bernaltown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgJ-w0cVLn0

Ten Day River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7koaCYGy320

“What if you could build a river in the middle of a classroom?” TEDxMeritAcademy Talk,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gZi4ggeL6g


Recommended Podcasts

The Convivial Society
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Recommended Reading

The Convivial Society Newsletter
https://theconvivialsociety.substack.com/



Deschooling Society, Ivan Illich, 1971
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deschooling_Society

Home from Nowhere: Remaking Our Everyday World for the 21st Century by James Howard Kunstler, 1996 (sample pages available at https://theconvivialsociety.substack.com/)

The Geography of Nowhere: The Decline of America’s Man-Made Landscape, by James Howard Kunstler, 1993 (sample pages available at https://www.google.com/books/edition/Geography_Of_Nowhere/pkmluwVdwx0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA9&printsec=frontcover)

Deschooling Society, Ivan Illich, 1971
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deschooling_Society

Home from Nowhere:...