Community building can be defined in many ways. And for Gretchen Minnhaar, creating structure has multiple meanings. As an architect in downtown Grand Rapids, Minnhaar designs physical spaces and uses brick, steel and glass to expand and enhance the cityscape. In another sense that seems to mesh perfectly with her profession, Gretchen also is working to expand the cultural landscape, but with art and film as her building materials.
“I come from a very lively and cosmopolitan city in Argentina, so it’s quite different from Grand Rapids,” Minnhaar said. “It’s been a difficult adjustment at times.
"But life takes you to strange places and you make the best of it. I’ve certainly looked for opportunity to influence change in this city. Through my architecture and my involvement in the city life, I promote new venues for people to search life in the city as something new and exciting!”
An artist herself, Minnhaar enthusiastically supports the arts. And she has found a way to meld her two passions – art and architecture – in a way that each supports the other.
“I have been painting for many years as well as practicing architecture," she said. "Recently, I’ve begun to spend even more time on my art, since it’s the images of cities, roads, people and buildings that form my everyday vocabulary. This is what I paint. It’s a message that may be understood or not, but it composes my work. I create images and colors that are pleasing to the eye, even if the viewer cannot read the meaning.”
Consistent with her goals to bring beauty and meaning to the city, Minnhaar recently launched a new project that combines her love of culture and her international perspective. It’s a annual film series called Chiaroscuro.
The term “chiaroscuro” literally means “light-dark” and refers to a painting technique that uses light and shadow to create form. That is a fitting metaphor for film as a medium – as films are projected light, in a dark theatre. It also fits the subject matter portrayed in this diverse group of international films.
Each year has a theme, and the films are chosen to fit the topic. This year’s theme is Love Without Borders: Intercultural Relationships. The first film Flores de Otro Mundo, directed by Iciar Bollain of Madrid, Spain, was shown last month. A second film was shown last week. And the final two pictures in the series are scheduled to run on March 18 and March 25.
“It had been a dream of mine for many years to start something like this," Minnhaar said. "It was only when I found a kindred spirit in Zulema Moret, a professor of Latin American literature at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), that things started happening. Zulema has an incredible knowledge of film and with her enthusiasm and connections in the college world, the dream started to come together."
"We now have the collaboration of all the colleges of the area, thanks to other educators with a passion for film," she added.
Film Buffs Unite
The college connection is important to Minnhaar, who feels that the young people are the ones who truly need to experience these stories.
“We felt that the people in the Grand Rapids area were ready for an awakening," she said. "But we also knew it wouldn’t be easy to build a following. So we started this series, treating it more as a cultural and social event, instead of just going to see a movie.”
“In time, and with some excellent shows and serious talent, we hope to establish a following for this series, especially with young people.” Minnhaar added. "That is why we do not charge admission. We want them to come see it.
If free admission and food doesn’t attract the college crowd, then perhaps the discussions following the films bring them in. Attendance at the film series is double that of last year. One key to the growth in popularity, Minnhaar suggests, is the afterglow following the films when a panel discussion is held to talk about the feature and its message.
“These movies have a lot of subjects to be discussed, and it’s important talk about them with others," Minnhaar said. "Most of our members are professors who are passionate about film. So this is a great way to learn about film as an art form!”
Minnhaar becomes serious when she points out that with hundreds of independent films produced around the world will never see the silver screen in metro Grand Rapids. And when they do get run, she laments, attendance is typically low.
“Many times I go to the movies and sit alone in the theater," she said. "What a waste. So many films have such an incredible message and teach us many things, all while entertaining us. Especially international films, which can help us to understand other cultures, some of which are so remote, we would learn of them only at the cinema.”
Embracing a World View
"One idea in the works is to invite the film directors to join in the panel discussions," Minnhaar said. “It is our intention to bring the directors to Grand Rapids to give us the background to the story. But at this point we don’t have the money.”
"We’re working with the local universities, who may be able to fund this idea," she added. "Then the directors can hold lectures or master classes when they are here!”
The 2007 film series did pick up an endorsement from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, which has enabled the event organizers to show higher quality, 35 mm films. They've also developed a Website and bought advertising.
Two films will run later this spring. Ae Fond Kiss, a 2003 feature by Ken Loach, will be shown on March 18. And Stupeur et Tremblement, a 2003 film by Alain Corneau, will round out the film series on March 25, 2007.
The series is hosted at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), located at 41 Sheldon Blvd. in Grand Rapids. The theatre holds 130 and, as Minnhaar points out, admission is free. All shows begin at 2:30 pm.
“The UICA has been wonderful and along with the great support of the area universities, we will continue to develop our series and seek support from the entire community,” Minnhaar said. “I feel that this is an important step for our city, to become less provincial and more aware of our world.”
Photos:
"Looking for You" an oil painting (detail) by Gretchen Minnhaar that was inspired by thoughts of a vibrant city center
Gretchen Minnhaar in her downtown studio
Magaret Vega at Kendall College of Art and Design is also a founder member of Chiaroscuro
Gretchen Minnhaar sketches
Photographs by Brian Kelly - All Rights Reserved