The trade magazine
Architecture Minnesota is holding a video contest about the winter-proof skyways that wind around both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.
People are being asked to put together a short film that captures their reactions to the uniquely Midwest-styled footbridges, explains Architecture Minnesota editor Chris Hudson. Anyone can apply to the
contest, which has a Feb. 25 deadline.
The video contest is a way for the print magazine to "invite a wider sample of thoughts about the built environment," explains Hudson.
While not everyone can write architectural criticism, which the magazine publishes, many people can put together a two-to-four-minute video with whatever equipment is on hand, that "captures their experience of architecture." He says the skyways are a good subject for discussing the built environment because reactions to them are so mixed.
For example, some architects say they take away from the life of the street. "Draining people from the sidewalks," he says, "they say they kill street life." But others find convenience and comfort in the skyways. For them it's a major plus to be inside a safe skyway and not on the street, especially when it's cold. The skyways also afford unique "small aerial" views of the street.
On March 7-18 entries will be on the website for people to vote on. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the jury's winner during a presentation on March 31 at the
Walker Art Center in Minneapolis while several honorable mention recipients will get $500. Additionally, online voters, combined with the audience at the Walker, will pick a viewers' choice award winner, who will also receive $1,000.
The magazine hopes it strikes up an ongoing public dialogue about the built environment. "I think it's a good exercise," Hudson says, adding, "It's a way to reach out to new readers."
"We hope we get surprising perspectives on the skyway," he says. "We're getting a lot of enthusiasm from a wide array of people."
Source: Chris Hudson, Architecture Minnesota editor
Writer: Anna Pratt