As a contributing editor at Moco Loco I always look forward to picking my top 5 posts for the year. In case you missed them, here were my favorites from 2007:
Top 5 2007
listen to Calgary’s California 103 to hear an interview with John Greg Ball on: Artist showcase.
(Image above from a recent Canadian Design Resource contribution)
When interviewed by FASHION magazine they asked me: “you are a designer, and why do you choose to live in Calgary”?
Great question.
As described in my recent lecture at the University of Lethbridge: ”Alberta is my home and I am here to stay”. Born here in Calgary, I am a prairie boy by heart and my family roots run deeply here. As a designer and past social sciences student I continually study local art and design culture. I know that no one can truly understand their culture without living there. That said, I do try to travel often and will be in Toronto (my second favorite city) this coming February.
The second reason I live in Calgary is that I live one hour from the most beautiful part of the world: Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Living here gives me the ability to escape urbanity and immerse myself in Nature anytime I want. I hike, camp, and fly-fish there. This is very important to me as it inspires my work, relaxes me, and fuels my mind.
Thirdly Calgary is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, and our economy is booming. There are more construction projects happening here, than any other city in Canada. In particular, I am very excited about Encana’s recent decision to hire Norman Foster + Associates to design “the bow” (soon to be the western Canada’s tallest skyscraper to grace Calgary’s skyline). Decisions like this make me realize there is alot of vision in this city. I also love Inglewood. This is one of the richest, and most vibrant parts of our city. There is alot of style here and its the most ”Calgary” part of the city.
With all that said, I think its hugely important for an artist/ designer to live in the city inspires them most. Its important that a city fits one’s lifestyle best, and for me Calgary certainly is it.