Southampton Arts Center to HostPanel + Screening of My Octopus Teacher
Inspiring a Conservation Ethic for a Remarkable Species
Octopuses are among the world’s most intelligent invertebrates. They’re also in high demand as a food product. In an effort to bring awareness to the plight of this remarkable species, Southampton Arts Center is hosting a free outdoor screening of the 93rd Academy Award Best Documentary winner My Octopus Teacher on Friday, September 24 at 7 PM. Prior to the film, Becca Franks, research scientist of environmental studies at New York University, and Jennifer Jacquet, associate professor of environmental studies at New York University, will lead an engaging discussion on octopus intelligence, inspiring us to take action and protect these marine animals. Registration is required at southamptonartscenter.org/film.
There are increasing efforts to commercially farm octopuses for human consumption. The panel program will discuss the current state of the octopus farming industry, associated ethical and environmental issues, welfare concerns with keeping octopuses in captivity, and the legal framework relevant to octopuses.
“This is a wonderful film that takes you into the world of wild octopus, and Becca Franks and I are excited to join the crowd at Southampton Arts Center to discuss some the latest scientific and commercial developments that are not in the film,” shares Jacquet. “Such as the concept of distributed consciousness, the moral status of octopus, and the latest efforts to mass produce octopus.”
Screening on SAC’s West Lawn, My Octopus Teacher is a 2020 Netflix Original documentary film directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, which documents a year spent by filmmaker Craig Foster forging a relationship with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest. Attendees are asked to bring their own beach chair or blanket. In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors and proof of vaccination will be required.
SAC’s galleries are open Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 5 PM. SAC continues to follow all New York State and CDC guidelines for all programs and events.
Select Southampton Arts Center programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. The SAC Summer Stage is sponsored by Primary Care and Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. CLEARING THE AIR is sponsored by Primary Care and Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, with media partner The Southampton Press. Additional support for CLEARING THE AIR and related programs has been made possible by Long Island Community Foundation. WHIMSY is sponsored by Hauser and Wirth, with additional support from Marlborough Gallery and James Lane Post. FILM @ SAC is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens. KIDS @ SAC is sponsored by Investors Bank. Additional support comes from Southampton Bath and Tennis Club. Financial Literacy Partner: J.P. Morgan Private Bank.
ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER
Southampton Arts Center is committed to community building through the arts. We present and produce inspiring, inclusive, socially and regionally relevant programs across all disciplines – welcoming, connecting, and collaborating with the diverse members of New York’s East End community and beyond. SAC is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, New York 11968, visit southamptonartscenter.org or call 631.283.0967. Follow SAC on Facebook and Instagram @southamptonartscenter. For press inquiries, contact Rachel Bosworth via email at rachel@rachelbosworth.com or by phone at 631.220.1220.
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