Got 20 Minutes? Learn The Story of Stuff

From the producers:
“The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns, with a special focus on the United States. All the stuff in our lives, beginning from the extraction of the resources to make it, through its production, sale, use and disposal, affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.”

This is probably old news to you given The Story of Stuff first launched in December of 2007,  yet I’m so lame that today is the first I heard of it. For those that haven’t seen this mini-documentary, the clear information presented is well worth 20 minutes of your time. For those that have, please direct all insults about my aforementioned lameness to the comments below. Look for the book of the same title in March of 2010.

posted by: Brent Carter

Something to PITCH About

Apologies if you can’t stand puns…but what about puns that relate to a good cause, like a philanthropun? Creative Pitch is a collaboration of Chicago’s advertisers and designers who work together to salvage materials and supplies headed for the dump, and then redirect those materials to “under served art programs” in the Chicago metro area.

Brainforest, the founding creative agency behind Creative Pitch, is hosting “Something to PITCH About,” the second annual fundraiser from the Chi-town group. Hosted at Lumen (839 W Fulton Market St) on Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 6 to 9 pm, guests will be supporting the organization with a $20 donation in advance, or $25 at the door.

It’s no secret that arts programs are suffering from fiscal shortages in schools across America, so it’s refreshing to see a group of people organizing and supporting arts education. Even if you don’t live in Chicago and you can’t make it for the music and drinks, a donation to Creative Pitch will help keep the arts alive for future generations. Thanks to Creative Pitch for leading the way in the necessary fight to keep art alive in education.

posted by: Scott Starrett

“Aberrant Agriculture” by Scott Johnson

For our sixth and final installment of architectural projects dedicated to vertical farming, renewable energies, and the construction of a better, greener 21st century, s.a.johnson discusses Aberrant Agriculture by University of Kansas Masters of Architecture student Scott Johnson, also known to the Rathaus as s.a.johnson.

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“Sky Farm” by Gordon Graff

For our second installment of six architectural projects dedicated to vertical farming, renewable energies, and the construction of a better, greener 21st century, s.a.johnson discusses the Sky Farm project by Gordon Graff.

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“Living Tower” by SOA Architects

The Rathaus’ own s.a.johnson examines the first of six architectural projects dedicated to vertical farming, renewable energies, and the construction of a better, greener 21st century. Our first installment features the work of SOA Architects and their Living Tower project.

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