The Chaos of Self-Examination

Our second season of Airbnb Design—Talks: When Chaos is Your Creative Director ends on a high note with vocalist Julia Bullock. In previous talks, we heard from a hostage negotiator, a video game designer, an enigmatist, all with unexpected stories about navigating and channeling chaos. The season finale is a formal affair featuring art installations, conversation, and a live performance from Bullock, a young singer who’s shaking up the opera world.

Bullock has headlined concerts at preeminent arts institutions worldwide and performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. She’s drawn attention not only for her electrifying voice, but also for her social consciousness and community activism. In her current residency at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she curates thought-provoking programs including a modern rendition of slave songs that bring to life hidden narratives that still persist.

As an artist, Bullock is familiar with the conflict between questioning as part of the creative process and questioning her own abilities. As her professional momentum began to accelerate, a moment of crisis unleashed itself during a crowning operatic performance six years ago. Our evening begins at that critical moment and takes you on her inner voyage through criticism, creative block, and regenerating impeded creativity.

This series finale takes place at the historic Bently Reserve and requires formal attire. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the San Francisco Symphony’s Artist-in-Residence program, where Bullock will be a featured 2019/20 artist.

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Photography: Stephanie Berger © 2019