Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon Executive Vice President/CEO
First of all, let me just say this: The Matrix is here.
It’s just not as dystopian as we thought it might be. (If you haven’t seen the movie yet – and how have you not by now – spoiler alert. Dystopian future, humans become batteries, no free will, Simulacra and Simulation. Check it out.)
Here we are, tucked away in our “pods” connecting mainly in virtual space. I even use virtual environments (backgrounds) to help others believe I am in a more fabulous space than I am (my closet). And, on more than one occasion, I’ve caught myself looking at that cave shadow of myself and thought “hmmm. I would like to be on that beach” as someone’s background suggests.
But I’m never fully fooled. We still “Leave Meeting.” And here I am, back in my closet. Wanting to see an end to this, but not sure what it looks like next.
If you haven’t signed up for our 5th annual FutureVision Conference, which starts on Monday, TODAY IS THE DAY. Several of the offerings are free, you can earn up to 7 HSW, and ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT YET BACK IN PERSON, we are dreaming of better days together. As we talk about the ways we come back together safely in terms of pandemic, there is a parallel conversation to uncover about how we regather ourselves safely post social upheaval, because that happened as well. This year’s program seeks to reveal answers around what could be if we considered good design as a civil right. From the concept of semi-utopian “Equi-districts” to the very concrete case study of Detroit, Michigan, we want to discuss the possibilities of birthing a new paradigm. Please join – it won’t be the same without your voice and I assure you we are better together than we are apart.
Tune in on Monday as we meet Room for More and talk about equitably designed communities; host a mid-week Hack-a-Thon and wrap things up with Steven Lewis, FAIA, and our Oregon Architecture Awards.
2021 has been a transformative year. It’s a day that starts a 5-day celebration of light – Diwali in the Hindu faith, which I respect and often practice. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” I invite you to celebrate Diwali with me today by signing up for FutureVision and contributing to the advancement of our AIA Oregon community. We look forward to seeing you there!