The founders talk about Landa Conservatory and the Jordan Crater collection.
Phillip T. Annand & Jessica Lehrman
At the beginning of lockdown measures in the U.S., Phillip T. Annand and Jessica Lehrman found themselves at home, in Los Angeles, pondering what would come next. As independent creatives, they decided to start their first collaboration, Landa Conservatory, as a means to share serenity during these turbulent times. Described as "The Quietest Place on the Internet," Landa Conservatory exists on YouTube and Instagram, in the form of meditative films that combine nature vignettes and original music compositions.
To celebrate the release of the Jordan Crater collection, footwear focused on sustainability and future-forward design practices, Phillip and Jessica spoke about Landa Conservatory, their collaborative practice and more.
How did you guys come up with the idea for Landa Conservatory?
Phillip: We definitely found ourselves in quarantine, like the rest of the world, trying to figure out what to do with our hands and spare time. We feel very lucky to live in a unique slice of nature in L.A. and felt some responsibility to share this space with other people who were dealing with isolation.
How do you guys create each video? Who does what?
Jessica: We go outside, or hike nearby, and walk slowly looking for small, magic moments or compositions. We’re basically foraging for moments of meditation.
Phillip: Jess captures the footage and operates all the cameras. I float around the periphery and identify the different locations and little worlds we can focus on. Jess has an amazing visual eye for composing moments and shots. I execute the post production, graphics and editing. Music has incredible healing power, so it was important to incorporate that from the beginning.
What roles have nature, meditation and sustainability played in your lives?
Jessica: I grew up traveling a lot and moving from town to town around the country. At one point, my family and I were fully mobile and living in an RV. I spent so much of my childhood going to national parks and exploring nature. I was lucky to be raised with a deep respect for the outdoors and to think of nature as medicine.
Phillip: I grew up spending the majority of my time outside, camping and building things with my hands. I think this is as good a time as any to acknowledge the privileges we both have had, to not only grow up in those circumstances, but also to now be sitting at home casually discussing sustainability through the context of sneakers and meditation videos. I can’t stress enough that all of our individual behaviors have to rapidly shift to save our planet. I feel some responsibility to help find ways and to tell stories that ensure the next generation gets to grow up sharing the experiences we did.
How is Landa Conservatory a natural part of your creative progression?
Jessica: My work has always responded to energy, movement and moments, whether documenting protests, underground musicians or otherwise. Landa has been a new experiment, an idea born out of our own energy, as opposed to some external circumstances. It really reflects our mood and the reality of the world in which we find ourselves.
Phillip: I think that as we talk about these huge, grandiose ideas about sustainability, it helps put some of these ideas and projects in context — where are we spending our time and effort? The projects we bring to life are the projects we want to see in the world. Landa Conservatory comes out of that spirit, a desire to find a balanced, centered resting place in response to the crisis we are all facing.
You both have incredible style, including when it comes to sneakers. What are your thoughts on the Jordan Crater collection?
Phillip: Having grown up as a sneakerhead, it's an exciting and commendable step to see Jordan Brand taking this step into using recycled materials. It’s an important development for the most storied sneaker brand in the space. I'm a big sandal guy, given our California weather, so I’m all aboard. I also appreciate the subtle Nike Footscape design cues, as well with the asymmetrical side lacing, on the Crater.
Jessica: Phil and I take different approaches to our style, and I would say that I'm very practical. If something is comfortable, I almost don't care what it looks like. I will wear it every single day. I support that these are made out of recycled materials, and that they contribute to a better, more sustainable future. That’s enough to make me think they are incredible.
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