Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art is pleased to present “Vancouver: Art City of the Future?”, a talk by visiting curator Reid Shier on Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 pm. The talk is free and all are welcome to attend.

In a forthcoming publication “Art Cities of the Future – 21st Century Avant Gardes”, Phaidon Press has commissioned essays from curators in twelve far-flung global communities in which a critical contemporary art scene has recently emerged. Among the “…cities to watch for: Beirut, Bogotá, Cluj, Delhi, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Lagos, San Juan, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore and Vancouver.”

Shier reads from his chapter on Vancouver, mapping a short history of its artists and giving his thoughts on ingredients that have contributed to the city’s vibrant art scene. Shier also speaks to Vancouver’s emergence as a test case for a new urban design philosophy, now dubbed “Vancouverism”, positing questions about how the city’s rapid build-out and skyrocketing real estate might continue to nurture its artistic milieu.

Reid Shier is the Director/Curator of Presentation House Gallery, North Vancouver. Prior to his current position Shier was Chief Curator of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto (2004-06), Curator of the Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver, (2002-04), and Director/Curator of the artist run Or Gallery, Vancouver, (1996-02).

BMO Financial Group is the generous sponsor of Plug In ICA’s lecture series.