Artist Kelly Akashi, whose Altadena home and studio were destroyed in the January 2025 Eaton fire, has transformed the burned lot at 2650 Highview Ave. into a two-day art exhibition titled "Field Set," held May 23–24, 2026. The exhibit features Akashi's sculptural works made from fire remnants and a sound installation by collaborator Phil Peters, who used custom microphones to record the ongoing demolition and rebuilding sounds. Visitors were invited to sit on speakers and feel the low-frequency vibrations, creating an immersive experience that blends art with the physical memory of the disaster.
This project matters because it demonstrates how art can serve as a tool for communal healing and resilience after catastrophic loss. By turning a site of personal and collective trauma into a space for positive new memories, Akashi and Peters challenge the typical media narrative of disaster, offering a deeper, sensory engagement with the aftermath. The exhibition also highlights the broader recovery of Altadena, where over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and echoes the nearby Bunny Museum's similar effort to signal survival and community support through public art.