11″x8.5″; cut paper, marker, mixed-media collage items; 2011. Courtesy of the artist.
HAPPENING AT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS
We Choose The Bear
In early 2024, a hypothetical question went viral on social media, Would a woman rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear? Many women chose the bear. The internet moment inspired Cyndi Coon and Kim Larkin to collaborate on an anthology that took its lead from this question. “We Choose The Bear uses collage to hold complexity, contradiction, humor, and grief, and to turn those fragments into something shareable.” They wrote about their book:
“We Choose The Bear redefines the bear as a symbol of protection and empowerment for women and marginalized communities. This anthology weaves together stories, essays, poems, and artwork, offering a fresh perspective on personal safety, power, and the unique challenges women face today.
“Drawing inspiration from real-world discussions and created during the transformative celestial events of 2024, We Choose The Bear tackles the deeply resonant question: Why do many women feel safer encountering a bear in the woods than a man? Through personal narratives, mythological exploration, and cultural reflections, the book delves into the fears and strengths that shape women’s lives, challenging conventional ideas of vulnerability and protection.”
“This thought-provoking idea invites readers to reflect on where true safety and strength lie, making for a profound exploration of finding power in unexpected places. We Choose The Bear is a call for a safer, more equitable world—one where resilience, community, and strength lead the way.”
10″x8″x6.5″; collage construction; 2026. Courtesy of the artist.
At Kolaj Fest New Orleans, Coon and Larkin are excited to explore how this work can live beyond the book as a participatory practice; one that invites others to remix, respond, and carry the conversation forward. “We are two women with deep backgrounds in the arts and a passion for science, creativity, and justice, especially for womxn. As super nerds, we love blending these interests through our collaborations, subversively incorporating art, imagination, and humanity into our research on futures and provoking possibilities to build hopeful futures for all.”
Coon and Larkin will introduce their project at Friday’s Daily Collage Congress. They will also host a workshop during the Festival. Larkin wrote, “I want to learn how others attending Kolaj Fest incorporate collage into their practices, whatever form that may take. I’m especially interested in how artists use collage across disciplines such as research, pedagogy, activism, personal narrative, and public dialogue. I’m curious about the materials, processes, and choices people make, particularly where collage intersects with community, care, and social change. Being in conversation with other practitioners helps expand my own methods while staying rooted in collage’s shared, evolving language.”
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Los Ojos, New Mexico, USA. Cyndi Coon is a storyteller, author, and experiential applied futurist. As a creative, she wears many hats, including speaker, producer, writer, and futurist, all while spreading contagious positivity and high energy. As a time traveler, rule-bender, and data-driven science nerd, Coon’s work invites participants to defy convention and unleash their own creative potential. With Kim Larkin, she is currently exhibiting collage constructions at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico. She chooses to support womxn and the community, whether it’s a man or a bear. Learn more at thebravething.com and on Instagram @labfive.
El Prado, New Mexico, USA. Kim Larkin builds portals to hopeful futures. She is a skilled experience curator, futures strategist, UN speaker, and artist, guiding individuals, organizations, and movements worldwide to uncover human insights, explore possibilities and potential challenges, and take steps toward a brighter future. She is passionate about collaborating with and supporting womxn who drive change with love and fierce compassion. With Cyndi Coon, she is currently exhibiting collage constructions at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico. Learn more at thebravething.com.
ABOUT KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS
Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium about contemporary collage and its role in art, culture, and society, 10-14 June 2026. Visit the website to learn more, see an overview of the program, and register to attend.