Film and architecture has an affinity that architects in history have
time and time again attempted to project on screen. Architect Charles and Ray Eames used film as a likely vessel for their ideas. In Powers of Ten, it "takes us on an adventure in magnitudes." They chose a fitting starting point at a lakeside in Chicago. As the American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrates National Architecture Week,
what a fitting segue to an upcoming Film Festival that will take place
in Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center from May 5th to the 9th.
"Our
festival in New York brought out thousands of people who enjoy
architecture and design, so with Chicago's rich architectural history,
we couldn't think of a more fitting host city," Architect and Festival
Founder/Co-Director
Kyle Bergman explained.
The
Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) kicked-off in Chicago's The Wit hotel last week where the Art Institute of Chicago as well as Architect Jeanne Gang
welcomed guests. Ms. Gang will also be participating in a Discussion
Panel during the festival as well as have a book signing (for Reveal:
Studio Gang Architects) event, along with Danish architect Bjarke Ingels (for Yes is More: An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution).
"I'm
excited about bringing the festival to Chicago. We'll be featuring
talented filmmakers, and I think the architecture community, as well as
anyone interested in design, will likely be impressed by the range and
quality of the films," elaborated
Laura Cardello, ADFF co-director.
The
festival's 5 day program will offer over 40 films from 11 countries and
will host a series of panel discussions with some of today's design
leaders.
Architecture & Design Film Festival
The nation's largest film festival
will be celebrating the creative spirit of Architecture and Design. See
the highlights of films to be shown in the festival include:
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?
To be shown on Opening Night, the film
traces the rise of Normal Foster and his quest to improve the quality
of life through design.
Antwerp Central
This Grand Prize Winner at the
International Festival of Films on Art in Montreal will have its US
Premiere at the ADFF in Chicago.
Visual Acoustics
Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, the film celebrates the life and career of architecture photographer Julius Shulman.
Vincent Scully: An Art Historian Among Architects
An engaging film about the legendary Yale professor
Space Land And Time: Underground Adventures With Ant Farm
This film delves into the work of the
renegade 1970s art/architecture collective Ant Farm, best known for its
iconic land-art piece, Cadillac Ranch, in Amarillo, TX.
My Playground
This intriguing film explores the way Parkour and Freerunning are changing the perception of urban space.
If you go:
For all panel discussions and Q&A: The Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, Chicago
Small selection of films: Screen @ the Wit Hotel, 201 N. State Street, Chicago
Tickets: available for purchase beginning April 22nd at the Gene Siskel Film Center box office
General admission: $10
AIA members: $8
Chicago Architecture Foundation members: $8
Students: $7
Gene Siskel Film Center members: $5
About The Gene Siskel Film Center
For
close to 40 years, The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago has presented independent and international
cinema, film festivals, cutting edge programs, premieres, retrospectives
and classic films. Recognized internationally for its original
programming, the Film Center annually presents approximately 1,500
screenings and 100 guest artist appearances to more than 75,000 film
enthusiasts at its unique, sophisticated, modern facilities at 164 N.
State Street. For more information, please visit
www.siskelfilmcenter.org. The Gene Siskel Film Center is a public
program of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
A
nationally accredited leader in educating artists, designers, and
scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to
nearly 3,200 students from across the globe. Located in the heart of
Chicago, SAIC's educational philosophy is built upon a multidisciplinary
approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities
to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with
renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their
fields. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its
new Modern Wing; numerous special collections and programming venues
provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and
performances. For more information, please visit www.saic.edu. The Gene
Siskel Film Center and SAIC are part of The Art Institute of Chicago.
For more information about the Art Institute please visit www.artic.edu.
Lira Luis, AIA, RIBA, NCARB, LEED®AP, is principal architect at Atelier Lira Luis, LLC.
She believes in transforming the world and society through designs that
are sensitive to sustainability and address social responsibility.
She was National Geographic's 2010 Aspen Environment Forum Scholar and
reigning 2010 American Institute of Architects (AIA) ATHENA Young
Professional Awardee. This year Tile of Spain sent her to Spain as Reign
In Spain Winner, exploring the world of ceramic tile. Follow her in
Twitter: @liraluis or Get LinkedIn with her.