On Thursday, Dec. 1, Surface editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey moderated the inaugural edition of Adidas Originals’s new talk series, #TLKS, during Miami Art Week. The event celebrated the brand’s EQT shoe, and brought together artist Ben Jones, model and activist Adwoa Aboah, and artist and G.O.O.D. Music president Pusha T for a panel discussion. Guests gathered at the Hilario Candela-designed Miami Marine Stadium, and enjoyed a special performance from Pusha T after the conversation.
Adboah, who founded the platform Gurls Talk, discussed the ties between art and activism. “I think they probably are the same,” she said. “You’re saying something that other people are too scared to talk about.” When asked how she determines what projects are essential to her (a question prompted by the EQT slogan, “Everything that is essential. Nothing that is not.”) she said, “Clarity helps me decide what’s important. Everything else is a distraction.”