Alberta Artist Designs for Blockbuster Films

Thought you might find this youtube video excerpt featuring University of Alberta Fine Arts grad Todd Cherniawsky interesting. As he mentions in this video, Todd brings many interdisciplinary skills to his artistic work. He contributed to blockbusters such as Sphere, The Hulk, Oceans 13, War of the Worlds, and most recently, James Cameron's Avatar, the biggest grossing film of all time.

Avatar, my favourite film. Just wish I could design a perky one to leap from tree to tree when
I'm being chased by my publishing deadlines :)


Front row seats, Check this video out to hear from a successful artist and designer from Alberta, sorry about the nudging of the blog sidebar for space on this one...

Thanks to Youtube...and to Geoff McMaster U of Alberta for producing this video...

CM

Student Seeks Entry Position Urban Community Planning, Culture, Arts and Health

We recently heard from subscriber and student, Monica Dikkes. We are publishing her letter below. Monica is a student in the Professional Planning Program at the University of Waterloo. She is very interested in urban and community planning as well as heritage and culture and the links between arts and health. We would like to support this student in her ongoing job search. If you have an opening or know of any possible job prospects for Monica we would be pleased to hear from you. CM


To whom it may concern:

I am currently a fourth year Honours student in The University of Waterloo's Professional Planning Program. I am interested in a full time entry level position. My last year of schooling is scheduled so that I can start work immediately. I have experience in CAD work but I would like, if possible, to broaden my background and follow up with valuable practical experience in my chosen area of study. I am interested in all aspects of urban and community planning, especially heritage and facilitating community wellness, food systems sustainability and planning, cultural management and the link between art and health.

I am motivated to combine my passions, experience and education and apply my skills and knowledge to meet and exceed expectations. Along with my initiative and ability to function efficiently in a fast-paced environment, I strive to uphold the integrity and standards of the company for which I am employed. I am highly focused on meeting deadlines ahead of schedule with a keen eye for detail. I enjoy prioritizing my schedule of duties and believe these skills will enable me to succeed in the realm of junior planning and management. I thrive in team oriented surroundings and am motivated where there is room to learn and share creative experiences.

I look forward to hearing from you to set up an interview to further discuss a possible position.

Monica Dikkes

Send inquires for this applicant email to ccahte@cmclean.com

Imagination and Ethics Reflected in Architecture Conference With a Difference

Reconciling Poetics and Ethics in Architecture Conference
The History of Theory of Architecture Program,
McGill University School of Architecture, Montreal, Quebec

September 13 - 15, 2007

The program for this conference begins with three challenging questions:

How can architects reconcile their wish to design a beautiful world and the imperative to create a better place for society? Is there a responsible place for the architect's personal imagination in a world of opposing views, cultures and political agendas? For whom should architect's design?

Just a few of the many topics and presentations to be featured:

• Empathy of the Other. Spaces of Empathy and Ethics
• Historical Studies and Imagination
• Narratives of Utopia
• The Spiritual Exercise of Architecture
• Ambulating Through Choreographed Landscapes
• Messy Urbanisms
• An Experiential Tale of Two Buildings

Reconciling Poetics and Ethics in Architecture will be held at the Canadian Centre for Architecture and McGill University. Among the highlights are: keynote address by Juhani Pallasmaa to be followed by a reception co-hosted by the Embassy of Finland; the exhibition “70 Architects” at the Centre de design at UQAM; tour of the CCA; plenary presentations by Alberto Pérez-Gómez, Lily Chi, Marco Frascari, and David Leatherbarrow; and the 20th Anniversary of History and Theory of Architecture Banquet.

See conference website for more information.
http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/theory/conference/index.html