KQED's Forum Remembering Those We Lost in 2025
Dec 12, 2025
In this reflective discussion, guests Chloe Veltman, a cultural correspondent known for her insightful obituaries, Meaghan Mitchell, a passionate arts journalist, and Dave Schilling, an engaging writer for the LA Times, remember influential figures lost in 2025. They celebrate the legacies of Brian Wilson's musical genius, David Lynch's cinematic impact, and Belva Davis's trailblazing journalism. The conversation explores how these icons shaped communities and the personal connection we feel when artists pass away, driving home the theme that art blurs the lines between personal loss and collective grief.
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Alice Wong's Storytelling Legacy
- Alice Wong built the Disability Visibility Project to amplify disabled people's own stories and challenge systemic ableism.
- Chloe Veltman highlighted Wong's policy influence, MacArthur grant, and stance on accessibility issues like straw bans.
Why Celebrity Deaths Feel Like Personal Loss
- Dave Schilling argues art creates social relationships by transmitting feelings and ideas, so an artist's death feels like losing a window into their soul.
- He contrasts this depth with superficial social-media connections and explains why celebrity deaths hit profoundly.
Clothing As Personal Brand
- Schilling notes icons like Diane Keaton and David Lynch cultivated consistent personal uniforms that function as a living brand and communicate identity.
- He says distinctive clothing becomes shorthand for a persona and helps artists stand out and convey values.
