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We hope you'll join us in the Science Studios for an intimate evening of art and conversation revolving around our current exhibition, Jordan Eagles’ Bases Loaded. The show brings together Eagles' striking visual practice and a sport long mythologized as “America’s pastime,” baseball, to examine ideas of team, identity, and belonging in contemporary American culture. 

The evening begins at 6:30pm with a reception; wine and light bites will be available throughout. At 7:30pm, curator Gabriel Florenz will lead a brief walkthrough of the exhibition alongside artist Jordan Eagles, who will be present to answer questions and discuss the materials and ideas behind his work. 

The centerpiece of the evening begins at 8pm, when virologist Dr. Talia Mota sits down with  Army veteran and HIV advocate Ken Pinkela to discuss the body, disease, and the cultural forces that shape both. The talk will run approximately 45 minutes.

This event is open to Pioneer Works members at all levels. Become a member today to support the interdisciplinary work of our residents and other community members.

Participant Bios

Dr. Talia Mota is an adventurer, a scientist, a professor, and a writer. Mota holds a Bachelor of Science in Genetics with a minor in Studio Art, a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and a PhD in Molecular Virology with a focus on HIV. She has dedicated her life to fighting HIV and AIDS—she has volunteered in Cambodia, India, and Botswana with women and children living with HIV; was a Science Curator for HIV Science as Art with a gallery opening in Australia; and is an activist fighting HIV criminalization. She recently completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the Immunology of HIV Cure at Weill Cornell Medicine. Currently, she is a professor at NYU, teaching Life Science and Astrophysics. She's also writing a science fiction novel with a focus on the trauma and mental health of a new interstellar human species.

Decorated U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ken Pinkela, recipient of the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and Meritorious Service Medal, is a nationally recognized HIV advocate and leading voice against HIV criminalization. Ken served nearly three decades in the military before he was wrongfully convicted in 2012 for alleged HIV exposure without scientific or medical evidence. Since his release from military prison in 2013, he has spoken before the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, Johns Hopkins University, and the International AIDS Conference, while appearing in Rolling Stone, HuffPost Live, Al Jazeera English, and SiriusXM. Today, he continues to advocate for legal reform, mentor others, and recently helped build a community center in his hometown of Otisville, New York.