Philosopher's Café
Pnina Granirer, moderator, artist, co-founder of Artists in Our Midst and Board member of Coast Art Trust. is always looking for topics, so if you have something art related that interests you, please contact her. For general information on all Philosopher's Café programs, click here.
We meet at 3939 West 16th Ave @ Crown Street. Parking is available on the street or at the rear. Click here for more information.
History
In 2005, Pnina Granirer, the co-founder of Artists in Our Midst and a regular participant in the Simon Fraser University (SFU) sponsored Philosopher's Cafés, noticed that there was no real forum for discussion of the arts in Vancouver. Wanting to offer this kind of opportunity to public, she decided to offer discussion forums on various topics of interest regarding the arts under the name of Philosopher's Café, connected with the spring event of Artists in Our Midst, on Vancouver's west side.
The first art café was held in March 2005, a month before the April Open Studios. It was held at the West Point Grey Community Centre and moderated by artist Marion-Lea Jamieson. The title was 'ART: Who cares? Why should we care about the visual arts?'
It was a mild success, with 12 people. Despite the numbers, Pnina received a call from SFU soon after offering to list the event in their brochure. Today, we organize up to three cafés each spring with SFU support. The value of these discussions about art proved self evident, with participation growing steadily to around 35 - 40 people.
In 2007, we partnered with the Lord Byng School for the Mini-Arts and and held these cafés in the lobby of the gallery. Jon Hartley-Folz, the Byng Arts Coordinator, has been immensely supportive and helpful in hosting these events.
Over these 6 years, the cafés have fulfilled a niche for community engagement about the place of art in our lives. Artists in Our Midst in proud to organize and sponsor these evening salons and promote an understanding of the value the arts bring to the lives or our communities and residents.
Past Programs
May 1, 2012
Topic: Do artists communicate with the public? How does the general public relate to art in general and post-contemporary art in particular? Are some people intimidated by formal gallery spaces? Should art be easily accessible, or do we need to educate the public for a better understanding?
Moderator: Pnina Granier
April 3, 2012
Topic: How important is Authenticity in Art? Aesthetics or Authenticity?
Moderator: Jon Hartley-Foz
February 7, 2012
Topic: Does art matter?
If so, how much? What would our world be like without it?
Moderator: Pnina Granirer
January 11, 2011
Topic: Does art need any special ingredients in order to flourish?
Brazil, a country far removed from the best known centres of artistic activity, has produced advanced and vibrant experimentation in the arts. What made this possible and should we learn from it?
Speaker: Guest Renato Silva has a PhD in art history and taught art history and criticism at Universities in Brazil and Canada. He was the former contemporary arts curator at the Richmond Art Gallery.
February 15, 2011
Topic: The Arts: frill or necessity? Should our tax dollars support the arts and, if so, by how much?
Speaker: Guest Amir Ali Alibhai is an inter-disciplinary artist and curator of visual and community based arts. He is Executive Director of the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture.
March 15, 2011
Topic: Putting value on art - Commercial Value vs. Spiritual Value
Speaker: Guest Kathleen Laverty is a fine arts appraiser, advisor and consultant and has over thirty years experience as a gallery owner.
Some past speakers are:
Graham Good, Professor of English at UBC
Paul Crawford, art collector and director/curator at the Penticton Art Gallery
Lee Gass, Sculptor
Zoe Peled, graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Linda Naiman, artist and motivational speaker, on the Power of Art
Pnina Granirer, founder of Artists in Our Midst.