For our Windsor readers and those who may be heading to the Sun Parlour of Canada this weekend, there is a symposium on the cultural geography of the Windsor/Detroit region called Boarderline Case: Build me up, tear me down at the Art Gallery of Windsor.
This symposium with bring together international and local artists, writers, and cultural theorists to discuss the unique character of the urban communities that flank the Detroit River. Emphasizing the cultural geography of the border region, participants will look at the ways in which architecture and urban planning has been influenced by various communities and shaped by geographical considerations.
The goal of this event is to raise awareness and encourage discussion on the current urban realities in the region and to engage local communities in a dialogue on the future development of Windsor/Detroit.
The lineup includes Toronto artist Luis Jacob (who built the Pigeon Condo at Yonge and Lakeshore last year) who is participating in the final panel:
- Friday Oct 12 7pm
- The weekend kick-off with guest speaker Lisa Rochon, architecture critic for the Globe And Mail, and the winner of the National Newspaper Awards for Arts and Entertainment. Lisa will share her insights on architecture, mega projects, public spaces, and city building.
- Saturday October 13
- 9:30 A.M. Borderline Case: An Overview (James Patten)
- 10 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. First Session: History Lessons (moderated by Dr. Lee Rodney)
- Opening remarks by Lee Rodney on the philosophical and political dimensions of modernist ambition and post-modern malaise in post-industrial cities.
- Dr. Veronika Mogyorody: The Underlying Dialectic in Modern Architecture, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Gloria House, Troy Ouellette, and Dr. Andrew Herscher
- 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Second Session: Creative City/Shrinking City (Moderated by James Patten)
- Where are we going? How do we define the future of our cities? Join Marcel O’Gorman, Luis Jacob, Chris McNamara, Sabine Bitter and Helmut Weber in an animated discussion about new and exciting models for urban growth
In Toronto we take for granted that we have real (even if we’re critical of them) non-automotive transportation options and, perhaps more importantly, a concentration of media and population here making urban-minded projects and events (including Spacing Magazine) possible. A symposium like this for Windsor — a city facing some of its most difficult times ever — is great to see and hopefully these conversations continue.
Also while at the AGW, check out the exhibit High Hopes: Modern Architecture in Windsor 1945 to 1970 that “documents the seduction and abandonment of modernism in Windsor through photographs” by Andrew Foot whose wonderful International Metropolis blog we’ve linked to on a few occasions. Fans of mid-century Ontario modernism should note Andrew has compiled his photographs in a book that you can purchase (the proceeds go to support the blog — an important voice in a city that has one rather dismal daily newspaper).
Photo of the perfectly sound former Walmar (a former Woolco itself) taken in March 2005 just after the new Walmart opened two blocks away, with as big a parking lot.
