Aspen AIR Festival 2026: Gabrielle Richardson's Photo Diary
Gabrielle Richardson, recognized on Instagram as @fridacashflow, shared her experiences at the AIR Festival held at the Aspen Art Museum through a photo diary for Elephant. The 2026 festival, themed 'Figures in a Landscape', extended its reach beyond the museum, showcasing works by renowned artists, filmmakers, poets, composers, performers, and writers. Noteworthy moments included a unique screening of Lucy Raven's 'Murderers Bar' in the grasslands, a poetry reading with organ accompaniment by Kaveh Akbar and Paige Lewis in the chapel, and a mountain performance at sunrise by Los Thutanaka. Richardson was moved to tears during Kali Malone's performance on a newly restored pipe organ, which had remained unused for over 20 years, repaired specifically for the US premiere of 'Concentric Circles of The Choirs of Angels'. The festival sought to investigate the connection between humanity and nature, both physically and ecologically, within Aspen's stunning scenery. All images were captured using Richardson's iPhone.
Key facts
- Gabrielle Richardson documented the Aspen AIR Festival in a photo diary for Elephant.
- The 2026 AIR festival is titled 'Figures in a Landscape'.
- The festival featured artists, filmmakers, poets, composers, performers, and writers.
- Lucy Raven's 'Murderers Bar' was screened in the grasslands.
- Kaveh Akbar and Paige Lewis gave a poetry reading with organ accompaniment.
- Los Thutanaka performed a sunrise performance in the mountains.
- Kali Malone performed on a newly restored pipe organ in the Aspen Chapel.
- The organ had been unused for over 20 years and was repaired by the Aspen Art Museum.
- The performance was the US premiere of 'Concentric Circles of The Choirs of Angels'.
- The festival explored human relationships with landscapes physically, sociologically, ecologically, and spiritually.
Entities
Artists
- Gabrielle Richardson
- Lucy Raven
- Kaveh Akbar
- Paige Lewis
- Los Thutanaka
- Kali Malone
Institutions
- Aspen Art Museum
- Elephant
Locations
- Aspen
- United States