Thursday, July 1, 2010

Citizen Architect

While we're on the topic of movies, the Wellington Film Festival is just around the corner and we are in for such a treat with the documentary film Citizen Architect. If you've been keeping up with the comments on previous blogs, you might have heard mention of something called Rural Studio and a man by the name of Samuel Mockbee.
 


Rural Studio is a design/build programme at Auburn University which was driven by the late Mockbee. The programme came about as a way to both improve living standards of those in rural Alabama while giving the students practical knowledge and skills to give back to their communities. After his death the programme continues but with a focus on building community projects rather than individual houses. The film contains previously unseen interview footage with Mockbee, as well as student perspectives and praise and criticism from other architects and designers. This movie is bound to feed the little idealists inside us all, but it also questions architecture's role in a broader sense. 

Watch the fantastic trailer and read more about the movie here.
Or go directly to the Rural Studio website to read more about their inspiring programme.

Screening times and venues are:
Sat 24 Jul | 5:30pm | Film Archive 
Tue 27 Jul | 12:15pm | City Gallery Cinema
Tue 27 Jul | 1:30pm | City Gallery Cinema 



"If architecture is going to nudge, cajole, and inspire a community to challenge the status quo into making responsible changes, it will take the subversive leadership of academics and practitioners who keep reminding students of the profession's responsibilities." Samuel Mockbee

13 comments:

  1. Should we have Arch Critters movie night at the theater?

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  2. Yep sounds like a good idea. Are you thinking the Tues 27th 12.30 screening? Haven't checked the timetable but that shouldn't conflict as its technically lunchtime...

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  3. Hey look two screenings on Tuesday, my favourite day of the week after Friday, Saturday Sunday and Thursday.

    We could do an early lunch at scopa then catch the film.

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  4. Sounds like a good idea. Tue 27th Jul 12:15pm session? Shouldn't conflict with any lectures as it is lunchtime.

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  5. Good idea, I think I have class at the tuesday times, but would be keen for Sat 5.30

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  6. The film is only 60 minutes long so there should be time to catch the 12.15pm session and get to our lecture for SARC223 at 1.40pm

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  7. Looks like tickets are only available on the day and are $8.50

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  8. does any one else who has Sarc 212 - Furniture Design from 11.30-1.20 on Tuesday want to go to the Saturday screening?

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  9. I'll be heading to the Saturday showing at the Film Archive.

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  10. I think there is an argument for little outside assistance, those who have experience have preconceived ideas on how things work. I'm not sure how it would work but a student led and managed paper where something is built with the littleist outside interference maybe more beneficial to us than a larger one at this point. im not sure it would be possible to do a full house project in one or two papers anyway. I am looking forward to the movie to see how they do it

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  11. maybe that is how this paper should work those who enrol sit down and work out what we want to achieve and how we are going to do it, the process of funding is the first part.

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  12. Just saw this... Fantastic! Y'all are in for a real treat, very invigorating stuff; really got me going. I'm now very exited to see something like this closer to home :)

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