A reflection by Aspen Ideas: Health Fellow, Zoe Marinello-Kohn

It was a profound experience to meet the other Fellows. There was such a wide range of vocations within the group and I was moved by their passion when they talked about their work and backgrounds. When they asked about what I do I was validated and found that Art was welcomed as a vital part of “Health” as a whole. An essential component of a thriving world at large and also a benefit for individuals on a personal level. Following the Fellows reception we joined the other attendees in the largest tent on campus for the Opening Session. The Opening Session served as an introduction for what was in store. There were addresses by various speakers and Ruth Katz, director of Aspen Ideas Health, a vice president of the Aspen Institute, and executive director of its Health, Medicine & Society Program. A personal highlight of the Opening Session was a performance by cast members of “How to Dance in Ohio” a Broadway musical based on a true story about Autistic people with Autistic actors portraying the characters. Off the bat I felt that neurodiversity was being honored and highlighted in an honest and positive way.

The next three days were the type of blur that I can only liken to a very busy Theater Week. Or perhaps a summer camp full of activities so consuming that you forgot to miss your parents. I attended as many sessions as I possibly could with topics ranging from CRISPR technology and the future of medicine to Women’s Health, Politics, Artificial Intelligence.

A true highlight for me was a performance and discussion with Joshua Roman, renowned cellist. He performed and talked about his project “Immunity” inspired by his battle with long covid. Because of my synesthesia I could “see” the music while I listened. The cello’s sound undulates in deep browns and lighter chestnuts and sometimes but rarely touching into blue. It made me again see Art from a different perspective- one of appreciation rather than a challenge, a business venture, a personal love for something that is such a harsh, critical lover back. I saw how Joshua Roman’s music touched those around me and while I tried not to cry I remembered why I do what I do.

I was moved by the representation of neurodiversity with a session with Patric Gagne speaking about her book Sociopath: A Memoir. I am fascinated by how other people think. I have spent hours discussing perception, emotions and the senses with other synesthetes, autistic people and neurotypical people while developing my performances with Journey Through the Senses. Listening to Patric Gagne speak about her reality was intriguing and her honesty was admirable.

In the past I spent several years volunteering for the environmental group San Diego 350 on the transit committee so I was excited to have the chance to attend a session focusing on health in urban areas and how nature can be an influence. I was so happy to attend the session moderated by Vin Gupta of NBC New and MSNBC about greening cities through tree planting from Aruni Bhatnagar, battling the rat crisis in New York City through holistic strategies from Kathy Corradi (aka the Rat Tzar) and the importance of pollinators and racial justice from Samuel Ramsey.

Another highlight was a session with CDC Director, Mandy Cohen. Beyond speaking about ongoing challenges like Covid and Bird Flu she also talked about “heat” as being a threat to health. With global warming on our doorstep this was a very important message and a sobering realization of how much humans have to do to mitigate the damage to our planet and our health.

Finally I have to touch upon a session dedicated to thriving through the Arts. If the arts community had a monarchy then the people on this stage were in the royal family. Francis Collins, Renée Fleming, Christian McBride and Damien Woetzel were led by Sarah Lock of AARP to share their viewpoints on how the arts can be used as modalities in healthcare.

Over the years I have thought a lot about the identity of “ballet dancer” versus “artist” especially during the pandemic when I couldn’t perform and when I was a younger dancer going through a tough injury. In these times I found that “artist” is the more appropriate title for how I approach my work. In my own way I like to think of what I do as Journalism of Humanity. I try to choose topics of relevance for my inspiration which is why over time my choreographic pieces have been based on exploring my synesthesia, the women’s movement, climate change, covid, relationships and even health challenges. Looking around myself at Aspen Ideas: Health and absorbing the stories, expertise and the stunning volume of information from so many sources was my version of heaven. I’m not a scientist but I am fascinated by innovation and big ideas.

Science is pure imagination brought to reality. Women’s Health is a driving force in my political affiliations and activism. Having the opportunity to speak with leaders in this field of medicine brought me a deep appreciation for the work they do and hope that one day the tides will turn again to protect women and their health.

Two sessions were very important to me. The first centered on Women’s Health and reproductive healthcare. IVF is under attack in our country and with dear family members born from this technology I feel deeply about keeping reproductive care available and safe nationwide. Having the opportunity to listen to a discussion with Amander Clark, Natalie Crawford and Tammy Sun moderated by Savannah Sellers of NBC about the future of IVF and reproductive care was priceless. Another session I attended was a deep dive into the fall of Roe v. Wade through an interview with Lisa Lerer and Elizabeth Dias, Co Authors of The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America, moderated by Margot Sanger- Katz of the New York times. It was exceptional to hear from these women how the political forces came together to overturn the rights of women with such precission it felt to many like a quick blindside rather than a slow moving strategy.