Architecture Minnesota, which last year hosted a popular video contest that centered on skyway travel, is gearing up for another round of
Videotect.
The topic this time is sustainable transportation and "its enhancement through quality design," according to Chris Hudson, who is the editor of Architecture Minnesota magazine.
Hudson says that the video competition was successful earlier this year, with over 1,600 people casting votes for their favorite videos online, and the
Walker Art Center screening filling to capacity.
However, Hudson says. it was also a learning experience: "We knew what we wanted to improve on."
For this round, videos will be shorter, between 30 and 120 seconds as opposed to two minutes. Now, people also have three months to produce a video entry, compared to five weeks the first time. "Last time it was a crunch. We didn't want to stress people out like that," he says.
He's hoping that people will take advantage of the window of time to film before winter creeps in.
Another perk is that with the help of a couple of sponsors, Architecture Minnesota is able to offer more prize money, with $6,000 to be given out.
Through the contest, "We want to spark a public dialogue," about the built environment, he says, but adds that the contest is not limited to strictly architectural topics.
Such is the case with the sustainable transportation theme, where design plays an important role. In considering possible topics, "We couldn't think of anything bigger or hotter," he says.
Right now there's all kinds of pressure to build highways "to keep things going," while light rail transit and bike amenities are also coming up a lot.
Everything from planes to bikes is fodder for the contest. "We want people to focus on what are the most sustainable forms of transportation, and conversely, to make some critiques of sustainable transportation options."
The topic is open-ended "to allow people to approach it however they want."
Entries are due by Jan. 23, with online viewing and voting happening in early February.
Source: Chris Hudson, editor, Architecture Minnesota magazine
Writer: Anna Pratt