My Colombian drum teacher says every rhythm has its own spirit, and when you play one, it combines with your spirit to form a new spirit.
My art practice aims to draw closer to our individual and collective spirits. Like old-growth forest, we evolved for relationship and community; the more in harmony we are with our “original instructions,” the happier and more peaceful we feel.
In Spanish we say EL árbol, LA hoja — male and female — which is nearer to the truth of the living world than English, which refers to everything other than humans as “it”.
I’m attracted to all things rhythmic. The engulfing, emotive mystery of music infinitely fascinates me and inspires a lot of my visual work. From the imperfect concentric circles of tree prints to the repetition and variations of Uva de Mar leaves, I hope you can feel a musical quality in these pieces.
I love aiming to remove distance via the transformative power of music and art, so we can remember we belong to one another and this planet. In the face of climate chaos and violence, joy and play and beauty are all the more urgent because they help us inhabit the relationships that give us life and meaning. From here we nurture ecological and social responsibility.
These collaborations with trees are prayers made with our greatest gifts: time, presence, and vulnerable interconnection. You engaging with them becomes an integral part of the song. Together we listen for the music that made us.
Vivian Lehrer is a Chilean-American artist whose work imagines reverent ways of walking with each other and our planet, integrating natural materials, painting, ephemeral processes, interactive installations, and community-building.
Vivian served for 12 years as founding co-director of Eden Village Camp, a farm-and-arts sleepaway camp with locations in NY and California. At Eden Village, Vivian fostered radical inclusivity through earth-based programming – often involving rite-of-passage challenges, art with biomaterials, song sessions, and parades with giant puppets. Previously, Vivian served Spanish-speaking clients as a public-interest lawyer in NYC. She raises children, plays bass in the indie-folk band Gorgeous Porch and hosts house concerts.
2013
Realistic Portraiture School of Visual Arts, NY
Course with Marvin Mattelson
2009
Certified Permaculture Designer
Columbia University, New York, NY:
2006
B.A. Urban Studies
2002
J.D.
1999 - 2002
WKCR Radio Station: Radio show producer + host
2000 - 2002
Arts Department Director
2001
Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance, Responded as EMT to World Trade Center on 9/11/01
2023 - present
Mending Spirit, Teaching Artist Grant
Funding to design and implement art classes in senior centers, weekly for two years
2009 - present
Schusterman Family Foundation, ROI Fellow
Access to professional development micro-grants and grassroots event grants for community-building events
2012
UJA Greening Fellow
Received mentorship + grants for sustainability initiatives
2010
Named to the Jewish Week newspaper’s “36 Under 36” list of young leaders
2024
Rhythm is Nature / It is Our Nature, Cope House Gallery at Awbury Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA
Solo Show
Flags for Other Nations, Weavers Way Co-op, Philadelphia, PA
Curated by Chris Wood
Now, One With Everyone!, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
Latina Stories, iMPeRFeCT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Curated by Ayiana Viviana
2023
Annual Show, iMPerRFeCT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Epilogue: The Final Exhibition, Pilot Projects, Philadelphia, PA
ephemeral partner: art about relationship with the more-than-human world, iMPerRFeCT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2023
ephemeral partner: art about relationship with the more-than-human world, iMPeRFeCT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Curated, installed and catalogued a 22-artist show and produced 10 related events.
2005
Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual Cover Art Show
During law school, visioned, curated and installed an art exhibit of imprisoned people’s artwork, co-sponsored by Amnesty Int’l.
2004
Reverie / Revelry, Immersive modern dance installation in the woods
Part of the Philly Fringe Festival
Tree of Forgiveness, Philadelphia, PA
Interactive installation on the pear tree outside the local food coop -
An invitation to seek or grant forgiveness
2023
Reverie / Revelry, Philadelphia, PA
A series of interactive dance performances in the Wissahickon,
Co-sponsored by Philadelphia Parks + Rec and Salt Trails Philly
2023 - present
Poetree, Philadelphia, PA
Poetry updated weekly on a tree slice, hung outside food co-op
2016 - 2019
Designed and managed five “green” gut renovations of homes, for clients + to sell
2017 - present
Interior design and staging via word of mouth for businesses and homes
Design logos, album covers, flyers, signage etc. for musicians + businesses
Hand-lettered signs for restaurants
Ongoing
Produce frequent house concerts and other events, exploring role of artist as host
