When we are confronted with moments of consequence, says artist Ran Ortner, our consideration shifts from the conceptual to the immediate; we cross a threshold into circumstances that directly affect our survival. When we do, we draw on every resource, reach for every thread of understanding, and bring the entirety of ourselves to bear on the present moment. In this talk, Ortner will discuss his personal history of racing motorcycles and surfing, and how they inform his artistic practice and ongoing literary exploration. Essential to both his art and these activities: the all-important is no longer just a concept.