THE LEXICON PROJECT uses information art to illuminate the terms and solutions which define sustainability. The project begins by examining "Food and Farming in America". By stimulating conversation on America's rapidly evolving food culture, the project educates, engages and activates people to pay closer attention to how they eat, what they buy, and where their responsibility begins for creating a healthier, safer food system in America.
INFORMATION ARTWORKS
For the past three years Douglas Gayeton and Laura Howard-Gayeton have crisscrossed the USA to learn the language of sustainability from its foremost practitioners in food and farming. They've now translated their findings into almost two hundred large format "information art" photo collages that capture the most essential ideas and innovations in sustainable food and farming ... all in their subjects' own words.
SHORT FILMS
Filmmakers Douglas Gayeton and Laura Howard-Gayeton have turned their pioneering method of mixing hand-written text with photo collage into a stunning collection of short films that mix animation by Pier Giorgio Provenzano with live action interviews with food producers from across the country. Episodes include "The Story of An Egg" and "What is Local? With original funding from ITVS.
CURATE A POP UP SHOW
We've taken 24 images from the project and created a traveling show ... that doesn't travel. Consolidated Graphics (CGX) is now sponsoring Lexicon Pop Up shows across the USA. Anyone can apply to be a curator. Transform your community into an "idea incubator" that can make a difference in reshaping your community's relationship with its food, farmers, and local nvironment. And because these works will be donated to your community after these shows, the messages will retain their significance and continue to inspire audiences for years to come.
ACTIVITY GUIDES
Educators and curriculum consultants are working with the innovative ideas and sustainable solutions presented in our information artworks to create valuable interactive, hands-on tools. These comprehensive Activity Guides mix a "deeper dive" into the themes and challenges presented in each work with practical activites that include cooking, gardening, and tips for engaging with their local food system.The guides are geared toward K-12 audiences.WORDS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR NEW IDEAS. THEY HAVE THE POWER TO ACTIVATE CHANGE AND TRANSFORM SOCIETIES.
COLLABORATORS
We collaborate and share resources with a variety partners, including schools, non-profit organizations, activists, conferences and even retail stores.
SUPPORTERS
Our short films, study guides and pop up shows are generously supported by a passionate mix of private individuals, small businesses, foundations, corporations and non-profits who all share our core values and beliefs.
MEDIA PARTNERS
We receive funding to partner and syndicate our work with some of the leading voices in the Green and Sustainable movement.
IN THE NEWS
Our story is now being told by some of the most persuasive media outlets in the Sustainable conversation.
ABOUT THE LEXICON PROJECT'S CREATORS
DOUGLAS GAYETON AND LAURA HOWARD-GAYETON live on a farm near Petaluma, California where Laura has founded Laloo's, the first goat milk ice cream company in the USA. They passionately believe that understanding the key terms that define sustainability is a critical first step toward fixing our food system. Douglas is a filmmaker, photographer and writer. Since the early 90's he has created award-winning work at the boundaries of traditional and converging media for AOL, MSN, MTV, Napster, Electronic Arts, Vivendi, Ubisoft, National Geographic and PBS. His most recent documentary aired on HBO. Laura has a background as a seasoned commercials producer with over twenty years of industry experience. As a senior executive at The End, Palomar Pictures, Tool of America, and Slo Graffiti she pioneered the art of multilayered narrative approaches to film and video for hundreds of commercial clients. Douglas is the author of "SLOW: Life in a Tuscan Town" published by Welcome Books. The award-winning book features a preface by the founder of Slow Food, Carlo Petrini, and an introduction by Alice Waters. Douglas lectures frequently on art, technology and sustainability. His photographs have been printed in Time and other magazines and are held in numerous museum and private collections around the world.THE LEXICON PROJECT is comprised of an eclectic, highly-accomplished collection of professionals engaged in the media, sustainability, and NGO sectors.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
DOUGLAS GAYETON
Co-Founder
Lexicon of Sustainability Project
LAURA HOWARD
Co-Founder
Lexicon of Sustainability Project
CHRISTOPHER SPAIN
CEO
Hydropoint
ARAM SHUMAVON
Executive Director
DECCA
EVE SALTMAN
VP Legal
Online
LYNN HIRSHFIELD
VP of Business Development
Participant Media
CONTENT EXPERTS
PAUL JOHNSON
(Sustainable Fisheries Advisor)
Monterrey Fish
JUDITH REDMOND
(Sustainable Ag Advisor)
Full Belly Farm
ALBERT STRAUS
(Sustainable Dairy Advisor)
Straus Family Creamery
BEN FLANNER
(Sustainable Urban Ag Advisor)
Brooklyn Grange
ALEXIS KOEFOED
(Sustainable Poultry Advisor)
Soul Food Farm
FISCAL SPONSOR
KIRK BERGSTROM
WorldLink
LEXICON ADVISORS
PATRICK NEWBERY
Method
JASON MIEL
Method
JOHN KNOX
Earth Island Institute
BRETT WAYN
Global Director of Local sites for Yahoo
JEFF HURLOW
Creative Director, AOL
BART DECREM
Head of Mobile Services, Disney
JOSH KOPPEL
CEO and Founder
Scrollmotion and Iceberg Reader
LAURA MICHALCHYSHYN
Discovery Networks
NATHAN SHEDROFF
Creator of Business Dictionary of Sustainability
ARI DERFEL
Executive Director of Slow Money
ANTHONY RODALE
Rodale Institute