ARIC CHEN
Director Zaha Hadid Foundation
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On Shaping Cultural Narratives, the Power of Observation, and Leading with Perspective
Aric Chen is a curator, writer, and cultural strategist shaping the future of design, architecture, and creative institutions. As former General & Artistic Director of The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, Aric has led some of the most forward-thinking conversations around architecture, digital culture, and societal transformation. Before this, he was a curator at M+ in Hong Kong, creative director of Beijing Design Week, and curatorial director at Design Miami. He is currently holding the position of Director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation in London.
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In this episode, Aric reflects on his unconventional career path—from architecture to anthropology to curatorial leadership—where intuition and curiosity shaped his decisions more than rigid plans. He discusses the importance of seeing beyond binaries, how his background in anthropology informs his work today, and why he resists the pressure to define himself within a single discipline. This episode is for those who think beyond labels, embrace complexity, and want to challenge the way we engage with culture today.
WHY I INVITED THIS GUEST
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Piet Oudolf is one of the most influential landscape designers of our time. Known for his groundbreaking work on the High Line in New York and the Lurie Garden in Chicago, his naturalistic planting style has redefined public and private landscapes worldwide.
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WHY I INVITED THIS GUEST
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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Director Zaha Hadid Foundation
EP TITLE
EP TITLE
On Shaping Cultural Narratives, the Power of Observation, and Leading with Perspective
Aric Chen is a curator, writer, and cultural strategist shaping the future of design, architecture, and creative institutions. As former General & Artistic Director of The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, Aric has led some of the most forward-thinking conversations around architecture, digital culture, and societal transformation. Before this, he was a curator at M+ in Hong Kong, creative director of Beijing Design Week, and curatorial director at Design Miami. He is currently holding the position of Director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation in London.
EP TITLE
In this episode, Aric reflects on his unconventional career path—from architecture to anthropology to curatorial leadership—where intuition and curiosity shaped his decisions more than rigid plans. He discusses the importance of seeing beyond binaries, how his background in anthropology informs his work today, and why he resists the pressure to define himself within a single discipline. This episode is for those who think beyond labels, embrace complexity, and want to challenge the way we engage with culture today.