About Topic No. 1: Innovative Conferences

CosmoTHIS: Innovative Conferences, March 2012 - ongoing

Exploring the idea of what a conference is and what it should be for those of us in search of inspiration.  What comes to mind when you think of the word conference? 

More info about this topic here.

Images above: + Bubble Diagram with quote from post, TED: Ideas Worth Spreading  + Robert Wong picture and book cover from post, DO EPIC SHIT! declares Robert Wong  + Sofia Coppola portrait from post, An innovative conference for women by women... 

Coming Soon to CosmoTHIS - Topic No. 2: A Curated Apprenticeship

A visual archive of C2-MTL 2012 à la Pinterest

As some of you know, I recently had the privilege of being part of the C2-MTL 2012 team. I worked on several incredible projects before, during and after the event, and in the course of the post-mortem evaluation phase, I was given the green light to construct an especially  unique undertaking, which I'm ecstatic to finally share with you. 

My incredibly-talented-supervising collaborators allowed me to create a visual archive - via  Pinterest - using the plethora of images shot by a group of brilliant photographers hired to document the C2-MTL 3-day experience.  After weeks of categorizing, shifting, pinning, configuring, repinning - etcetera - I can honestly say that I'm very proud of this self-induced project. Check out the C2-MTL Pinterest boards HERE. I invite you to browse, comment and follow. If you attended the conference and have images you would like to share with the C2-MTL team, please contact me. 

Thank you to the C2-MTL team for allowing me to exercise my playful eye!

The planning for next year's conference is already underway. I strongly encourage you to consider attending the event's second year, taking place in May of 2013! Visit C2-MTL's official site HERE for details.

Image Credits 
+ (top) Moment Factory Installation at C2-MTL 2012 - reset button © Karel Chladek / C2-MTL. Read article, "A tunnel open for open minds" (about installation) written by Josée Noiseux HERE.  
+ (bottom) C2-MTL Pinterest boards curated by me.

Topic No.1: Innovative Conferences, Cosmo THIS!

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

Photo Credit: The New Yorker, July 9-16, pages 68 - 69. Photo taken by me, VDL of purchased issue.

A couple of days ago, I read Nathan Heller's article featured in this week's issue of The New Yorker (July 9 -16, 2012) titled, Listen and Learn: TED talks reach millions around the world. How has a conference turned ideas into an industry?  I was so compelled by the backstage details behind the TED organization - so eloquently described by Mr. Heller - that I jotted down a few notes to share with you (after a few hours of additional online R&D).  
If you've ever watched those inspiring TED Talks on ted.com and have contemplated the idea of one day attending their 4-day annual conference in Long Beach, California, you will want to read this article.  As a quick preview, I invite you to browse my bubbly notes below, appropriately drawn on a very old roll of yellow trace paper from my studio days.

Were you aware that one can only attend the Long Beach TED conference by filling out an application form (not a registration form) that requests answers to essay questions and references OR by invitation only? Should TED, a nonprofit organization whose slogan is "Ideas Worth Spreading" make us feel like we're applying for a job?  I get that this is TED's way of guiding professional match-making (networking), and for those that make the cut, they get to profit from what Heller refers to as "the opulence of easy access"...(great phrase!)  I GET IT, but I can't help experience disappointment. I feel like I just discovered the "wizard" behind the curtain, and that magical appeal - for me - has lost its sparkle. Am I over reacting? Should I really be surprised?  I will continue to watch the online TED Talks of people/topics I'm curious about, but at least now, I will be doing so with a pair of informed eyes. 

Of all the people mentioned in the article, the one I find most fascinating is the founder of it all, Richard Saul Wurman (who by the way, is no longer invited to TED - Long Beach. . .read the article for the juicy details). He's launching his latest venture this September called, The WWW Conference. FYI, the list of participants (so far) includes: Yo-Yo Ma, Frank Gehry, Moshe Safdie, Maya Lin. . .more names here.  I'm looking forward to reading reviews about this exclusively designed powwow (73 seats @ $16K each, available on a first-come-first served basis!). Check out Mr. Wurman in the video clip below. You will find him a bit eccentric, but aren't we all?. . .don't you just love his super long black scarf?




Topic No.1: Innovative Conferences, Cosmo THIS!

Moonrise Kingdom...what kind of bird are YOU?

I finally experienced Wes Anderson's latest film, Moonrise Kingdom. This film has absolutely brightened my summer. From beginning to end, I was mesmerized by the intentionally crafted details. The costumes and props are impeccable, the music score is enchanting, the hysterical script - addicting, and the ensemble cast is a work of art. Prepare to be captivated by the two young actors: Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward - playing Sam & Suzy - their bios will leave you speechless! 

If you grew up living with a boyscout (like I did, hola hermano) you will enjoy it even more - but really - it is a film that celebrates the beautiful purity of that summer love - that last unforgettable sweet crush one experiences right before the teen years hit and ruin it all. . .ok maybe I'm rambling from personal experience. 

It is a film for all ages. . .A few seats away from me, sat an adorable 3 year old girl with her father, and while he laughed (almost every time I did), she gazed at the screen with complete admiration. 

For those of you who have not seen the film, when you go, I recommend you stay until the credits stop rolling - they are accompanied by the beautiful piece, Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34: Themes A-F  (by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic). You will leave the theater humming it and wishing you could play an instrument! 

Moonrise Kingdom was filmed on location throughout Newport County, Rhode Island.

Photo Credits

+ The handwritten ephemera, the picture of Sam with Khaki Scouts of North America uniform, the shot of Suzy with a fuchsia béret, and photo of The Narrator (played by Bob Balaban) were borrowed from the film's official website and interactive map here. 

+ All other photos were borrowed from ANTWRANGLERS flickr's page here.