The City of Chicago has for centuries championed architectural innovation by consistently being a force in determining where and how we as Americans, and humans, live and work. People who do live and work in Chicago experience groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments on a very immediate level, and the city’s rich history in architectural excellence is baked into the fabric of every building, old and new.
The inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB), titled The State of the Art of Architecture, aims to both celebrate the city’s leadership in architecture and continue its tradition of pushing forward radical new thought about what the built environment should be in the 21st Century. The Biennial opened to the public on October 3, 2015 and will continue through January 3, 2016.
The first year of CAB will give voice to the ways in which architects, artists, designers, planners, activists and policy makers from around the world are tackling the most pressing issues of today.
“By shining a light on realized architectural projects, projects in formation, spatial experiments made visible, and public gatherings, the Biennial seeks to generate thinking about architecture and its implications for our times. It explores how creativity and imagination can radically transform lived experience as we negotiate urban, suburban and rural contexts, as well as other places that have not yet been anticipated. Through a constellation of exhibitions, full-scale installations and programs of events, the Biennial invites the public to engage with and think about architecture in new and unexpected ways, and to take part in a global discussion about the future of the built environment.”
The Biennial, which brings to life City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s vision of a major international architectural presence, was created as one piece of a comprehensive cultural plan developed by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as part of the city’s efforts to redefine itself, most notably in the creative sector. The move to invest in events such as this is a refreshing step in the right direction for cities that find themselves outside the bounds of tech and creative city centers like Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Denver and New York City.
Officeinsight will be covering the Chicago Architecture Biennial throughout its duration, in hopes of bringing our readers the best pieces of what just might be the beginning of a grandly inspiring tradition. But, if you’re in the city, whether as a resident or visiting throughout the next three months, we encourage you to drop in for an event! To see a full CAB event schedule, visit www.chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.
Many events will take place throughout the city grid, but the Chicago Cultural Center will serve as the official home to the Biennial. If you haven’t already been to visit this extraordinary building, the original Chicago Public Library, the Biennial is the perfect excuse to do so. The Chicago Cultural Center is home to the largest Tiffany-stained glass dome in the world, and is saturated with architectural, historical and literary wonder – not to mention its impressive offering of critically-acclaimed art exhibits, performances, lectures and film screenings available for free everyday.
The cherry on top of this inaugural Biennial is its alliance with the 51st Chicago International Film Festival. This year, the film festival announced its Spotlight: Architecture+Space+Design program, a gathering of architecture-themed and design-related films that “celebrates the remarkable spirit and outstanding representations of innovative architecture and design in cinema.”
The festival will screen more than 150 films from more than 50 countries, and a full schedule of film screenings. Information about how to attend festival events can be found at www.chicagofilmfestival.com. This year’s Spotlight on architecture begins with the presentation of an international selection of 11 new feature films, from Tokyo to Milan to Sao Paolo and more, that include portraits of notable architects, designers and buildings (check out “Concrete Love – The Böhm Family,” “Why A Film About Michele De Lucchi?” and “The Infinite Happiness”) and expertly photographed depictions of contemporary and futuristic cities (see “Obra,” “Invention” and “Under Electric Clouds”).
As a preview, the film “Concrete Love – The Böhm Family,” directed by Maurizius Staerkle Drux of Germany and Switzerland, explores the legacy of prominent German architect Gottfried Böhm, who is “celebrated for his buildings of concrete, steel and glass. His three sons are also highly acclaimed. When the family matriarch, an architect herself and source of inspiration for all Böhm men, dies, their emotional foundation is shattered. Sensitive to form and emotion, Concrete Love lays bare the blueprint of a family.”
“Concrete Love – The Böhm Family” will screen on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 2:30p.m. And again on Friday, Oct. 23 at 5:45p.m.
“Obra,” directed by Gregorio Graziosi of Brazil, tells the story of a “complacent young architect in São Paulo who discovers a burial ground at the site of his first construction project. He must reckon with hidden secrets that make him question the very foundation of his heritage. An entrancing meditation on urban alienation and repressed national memory filmed in stark, exquisitely composed black-and-white, Obra is a haunting portrait of contemporary Brazil in flux.”
“Obra” will screen on Friday, Oct. 16 at 5:00p.m., and again on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 12:15p.m.
In addition to the program of shorts, Chicago Film Archives Program and feature-length films (all can be found on the website), the Spotlight will feature a discussion with architect Helmut Jahn on Sat, Oct. 17 at 6:00pm at the AMC River East 21. World-renowned for his progressive architecture and constant innovation, Mr. Jahn has designed 16 buildings in Illinois, including Chicago’s United Airlines Terminal, as well as skyscrapers in major cities around the world.
While many of the festival events require ticket purchases, the Spotlight on architecture will also feature free Wednesday screenings throughout the Chicago Architecture Biennial, from local and visiting architects and designers who will present Architects on Film, a curated selection ranging from films that have influenced their own thoughts on architecture to those that can spark conversations about the intersection between film, architecture, philosophy and society. All of the Wednesday screenings are free of charge and will be followed by conversations with the presenters.
Cheers to an autumn and winter season filled with inspiring discussion of architecture, design, people and culture!