Episode 10: The Infrastructure of US

Fireside Chats with Empathic Futures Lab

This week we are excited to welcome Robert Prochaska to our 10th episode of Empathic Futures Lab. It was recorded with all 3 of us together in Champaign, Illinois. We would like to thank him for taking the time to talk. It was a fantastic way to hit hit double digits.

Robert is an architectural designer and freelance photographer currently working on an photography project and exhibit/installation called "Portals" which will be displayed at the University of Illinois starting April 2nd. You can find his other work at the following links: https://www.rsprochaska.com/portals and https://www.instagram.com/takethe___train/?hl=en.

Robert's work, a series of sub-projects under a main research project called "Americana", focuses on the state of infrastructure in the United States with the goal of both highlighting the understated beauty of these objects as well as the need to maintain it going forward.

The discussion starts by introducing Robert's interests and how they came about then moves towards the meaning of infrastructure both our our built environment and our culture. Along the way we dive into his up-coming exhibit and how to best use photography to bring awareness to these issues.

Hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to comment below with questions, concerns or comments to continue this dialogue.