Tree Frog News – February 27, 2017
In a venue known for celebrating creativity, BC Wood hosted “Gray Conversations: A Living with Wood Forum” at the Museum of Vancouver as part of the first ever WOOD WEEK BC. The sold-out event was an inspirational tribute to wood use in architecture and design. The evening began with a tactile display of a unique wood stools designed by students from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design. While servers paraded tasty treats served on Douglas-fir slabs, guests were encouraged to vote for their favourite student design team. The highlight of the evening was the panel of Pacific Northwest designers. Run as a Q&A, moderator Jamie Gillin asked a series of questions that resulted in animated and passionate discussion amongst the participants.
The highlight of the evening was the panel of Pacific Northwest designers. Run as a Q&A, moderator Jamie Gillin asked a series of questions that resulted in animated and passionate discussion amongst the participants. As Director of Editorial and Content Strategy at GRAY Magazine, Jamie is well versed in the influence of wood in this realm. The panelists were Brent Comber (Artis-Designer, Brent Comber), Javier Campos (Architect, Campos Studio), Gail Guevara (Interior Designers, Gaile Guevara Studio), and Brent (Branch) Freedman (Furniture Designer, Gamla Studio).
Although their relationship to the medium varies considerable, their passion for wood was constant and potent. Asked to tell us their “favourite wood” – and why they love it, their answers demonstrated their personal diversity, while proving that the natural beauty and spirit of wood is a unifying force in today’s design community. And rather than the all too common PowerPoint presentations we are accustomed to, it was a treat to enjoy a performance focused on facial expressions, hand gestures, heart-felt commentary and conversation.