Under the Influence 010. A conversation about the architecture of books-

Speakers: Berta Ferrer & Jessica Fleischmann

Date: Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Venue: Untitled Book Store

Under the Influence is a series of conversations that expands upon the concepts of Los Angeles Modernism. This radical movement rejected predetermined rules and embraced experimentation, striving for freedom of expression in all areas of culture. Modernism also catalyzed an interest in social equality, politics, healthy environments, new materials, and innovation, ushering design into a new and transformative era. The series brings together architects, artists, and designers from all over the world to engage in dialogue with local architects, landscape architects, and creatives in LA's iconic modernist spaces. We aim to uncover the influence of this radical approach on today’s culture and will reflect on what we do next by bringing foreign and local voices into experimental and progressive conversations.

Two speakers are invited for each talk: one local and one from elsewhere. Each speaker will present their work, highlighting the experimental approach’s influence that Los Angeles Modernism set in motion. The presentation will be followed by a conversation among the speakers and with the audience, initiated by a question each speaker asks of the other.

Bios:

Berta Ferrer is the Architect of Books (Arquitecta de libros), an expert in unconventional narratives and in books that foreground their materiality. Holding a Ph.D. in Typography and Graphic Communication from the University of Reading, as well as MAs in Graphic Design and Architecture, she specializes as a graphic designer, researcher, lecturer and writer in book and editorial design. Her creative and scholarly work delves into the potential of the book as a physical object in the digital age. She currently is Programme Leader at the BA in Graphic Design & Digital Media at LABA Valencia in Spain, and also teaches the MA in Communication Design at the University of Reading in the UK. Additionally, she conducts international workshops and seminars on book design that encourage rethinking traditional reading practices and the material aspects of the book.

arquitecta de libros

Jessica Fleischmann is the founder and creative director of Still Room, an award-winning design studio with a focus on arts and culture. She practices human-centered design to celebrate the 'everyday' – this includes works about art and buildings, furniture and gardens, color and music, food and clothes, politics and education.

Still Room designs books, identity and branding, websites, exhibition graphics, and signage/wayfinding. Books for architects include Clocks and Clouds: The Architecture of Escher GuneWardena, Tabula Plena: Forms of Urban Preservation, The Lost Architecture of Jean Welz, Frank Gehry: The Houses, Mute Icons—and Other Dichotomies of the Real in Architecture, Dingbat 2.0, and LA Forum Reader. Jessica’s work has been recognized by the AIGA, Graphis, the IPPY Independent Publisher Awards, and British Book Design and Production Awards, among others. She has held teaching positions at UCLA, Otis College of Art and Design, USC, and SCIArc.

Please note: by attending this event, you agree to the liability waiver and release below. Liability Waiver and Release: * I hereby declare that I accept and understand the following conditional requirements of my participation in LA Forum's Under The Influence 007 event. I declare that I fully intend to be bound by the condition stated herein. I further declare that I have read and fully understand all of the conditions outlined below. In consideration of acceptance of my participation in LA Forum's Under the Influence 007 event, I, for myself, my heirs and assigns, hereby release the sponsors, program participants, coordinators, and officials of this event from any and all liability arising from illness and/or damages I may suffer as a result of participation in such an event. I attest that I will wear any protective gear required by the event organizers. I agree that if I violate this agreement and attempt to bring suit against any part of parties named herein, that I will be held responsible for attorney’s fees and any costs incurred by that person in defending such action. I further understand that this waiver applies to all or any events in which I may participate from the time I convene with the event forward and that this waiver and release of rights contains no expiration date.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE: CONVERSATION 010

BERTA FERRER & JESSICA FLEISCHMANN