Photo by Claudia Lucia
About Us
Communal Projects is an artist-led curatorial and consulting initiative dedicated to developing public projects, exhibitions, and cultural programs. Co-led by writer Mari Orkenyi, a multicultural strategist with a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management, and artist Tofer Chin, known for his large-scale public installations and international exhibitions, the initiative merges curatorial insight with artistic vision. In addition to curating site-responsive projects that transform public spaces and spark dialogue, Communal Projects collaborates with companies and nonprofits to provide artistic and cultural consulting, helping organizations develop meaningful projects that integrate art and community. Through collaboration and innovation, they reimagine how art shapes environments, fosters connection, and drives cultural impact.
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Mari Orkenyi is a writer, multicultural strategist, and consultant in arts and cultural management. As a native Brazilian immigrant with Hungarian Jewish roots, living in Los Angeles by way of Spain and Mexico, her diverse background continuously informs her work. She holds a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management from the International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona) and specializes in project management, community engagement, and cultural research, collaborating with brands and cultural institutions to develop impactful narratives. Mari has worked with organizations such as MOCA, Marciano Art Foundation, Museu da Casa Brasileira, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, leading public arts initiatives that foster creative expression and connect diverse communities.
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Tofer Chin is an Asian American artist working across painting, sculpture, large-scale public murals, and sculptural installations exploring the interplay between presence and absence, permanence and impermanence, using light, color, shadow, and form to invite viewers into a dialogue around perspective, scale, identity, and belonging. His large-scale, site-specific installations address issues such as climate change, consumerism, and our connection to the landscape while in conversation with urban environments. With over 15 years of experience, Chin collaborates with city officials, architects, and stakeholders to create works that blend seamlessly into their surroundings and amplify the character of the space. His practice includes national and international public projects, exhibitions, and collaborations with cultural departments, curators, and museums.