With October almost here I am scrambling to pull my schedule together so that I can make time to hit some of the events that are about to flood the city during the Portland Design Festival. While I would love to attend all of the documentary screenings, panel discussions, lectures and tours I simply do not have enough time. Here is my list of must go to events that I will try to make and thought that you should too!
OLD GROWTH ARCHITECTURE EXHIBIT at the Architectural Heritage Center- $3 admission
Thursday, October 3, 2013 – Friday, October 18, 2013 10am – 701 SE Grand Avenue Portland, OR
What is it?
Using artifacts and library materials from the Bosco-Milligan Foundation Collections, this exhibit will explore the use of wood in our region’s architecture, from pioneer days through the 1960s. Visitors will learn how important and prevalent wood was both economical and a source of shelter. You’ll also find that wood was once used for just about everything from plumbing fixtures to siding, and quite literally, everything in-between.
This looks very interesting, I love most of the events that the AHC hosts and it will easily to fit into the schedule as it runs for a couple of weeks.
PERSPECTIVE: THE MOMENT THROUGH A LENS
When: Thursday, October 3, 2013 – Saturday, October 19, 2013 5:30pm, free
Where: Center for Architecture – 403 NW 11th Ave
What is it?
The first annual Center For Architecture photography exhibition features the work of local photographers Laurie Black, Richard Lishner, Sally Painter, David Papazian, and Josh Partee. The exhibit explores natural and built environments concerning the practice of framing urban visualscapes. The work of these photographers address spatial framing, the interiority/exteriority, geographical extension and enclosure.
PORTLAND OPEN-SPACE SEQUENCE
When: Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:30am – 11:30am, $10 RSVP
Where: Location TBD
What is it?
Oregon’s new DoCoMoMo Chapter hosts its first National Tour Day this Fall. The event will celebrate the famed landscape architect Lawrence Halprin’s “Portland Open-Space Sequence” – a series of four urban fountain plazas that culminate in the dramatic Forecourt Fountain(now called Keller Fountain) – described by New York Timesarchitecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable as “one of the most important urban spaces since the Renaissance”. Built between 1965 and 1970, the Portland Sequence’s importance has been recognized in its successful nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Landscape architect Steve Koch and journalist Randy Gragg will lead a morning tour detailing the history and creation of Halprin’s masterpiece. Koch is a co-founder and Gragg is the current president of the Halprin Landscape Conservancy, which is devoted to the restoration and stewardship of the Portland Sequence.
BACK FENCE PDX: RUSSIAN ROULETTE
I am a huge fan of Back Fence PDX, I always have a great time at these events and this edition features some design world lovelies that will have interesting stories I am sure!
When: Friday, October 11, 2013 9pm-11pm – $15 advance, $18 door get tickets here
Where: Secret Society Ballroom – 116 NE Russell
What is it?
The evening will feature risk-taking 8 storytellers that you’ll recognize from the design world including ADAM ARNOLD, KATE BINGAMAN-BURT, ARTHUR BRADFORD, NICOLE J. GEORGES, LEATHER STORRS and more announced soon!
How it works: each show begins with a GIANT WHEEL full of juicy story prompts. One of the 8 storytellers will be randomly drawn. They spin the wheel to decide the prompt for their story. They can play or pass. If they pass another teller can steal their prompt! Then the risky part…each storyteller has only 5 minutes to come up with a true 5-minute story based on that prompt!!! It’s like we invented a new game called truth AND dare!
DESIGN MATTERS: A TOUR OF EXCEPTIONAL PORTLAND HOMES
When: Saturday, October 12, 2013 10am -4pm – $40 per ticket
Where: Self guided tour around PDX get tickets and map here
What is it?
The American Institute of Architects Portland is excited to have you join us on Saturday, October 12th! The seven homes you are about to visit are very special.
This year’s Design Matters: A Tour of Exceptional Portland Homes is focusing on small and smart homes designed by Portland Architects. This one of a kind tour provides design enthusiasts with a rare glimpse into unique area residences designed by Architects.
This daylong self guided tour is open to all, from design enthusiasts to professionals, and it is one of the highlights of the 2013 Portland Design Festival.
FILM: “KOCHUU: JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE, INFLUENCE AND ORIGIN” BY JESPER WACHTMEISTER
When: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 7-9pm $5 -$10 suggested donation
Where: Center for Architecture 403 NW 11th Ave Portland, Or
What is it?
A beautifully shot documentary that unfolds with Zen-like calm, offering a sublime and informative study of modern Japanese architecture, its roots in Japanese tradition and its impact on European architecture, particularly in the Nordic nations. Accompanied by rich visuals and an intriguing, minimalist electronica soundtrack by Benny Nilsen/Förlag, Touch recording artist, the film explains how contemporary Japanese architects strive to unite the culture and aesthetics of today with visions of the future along with ancient philosophies of construction that integrate nature and landscape.
