Jan 20, 2015 Long Beach: Work in Progress 2
On April 26, 2013, I helped organize an Imprint conference called Long Beach: Work in Progress. The idea was to celebrate the city where Imprint and its sister companies were about to put down some serious roots. After being housed in a nondescript Ocean Boulevard high rise for more than a decade, plans were announced to purchase the nearby Psychic Temple/American Hotel, renovate the dilapidated-but-beautiful structure, and set up shop on the city’s ground level. We wanted to make a statement that our business appreciates and celebrates the local culture and heritage that it hopes to be a part of and build upon.
John Jay gave a keynote speech about creativity–showing its lasting value in a quickly and constantly evolving culture and inspiring attendees to contribute to it in Long Beach or other hometowns. Co-authors of Long Beach Architecture: The Unexpected Metropolis (Hennessey + Ingalls, 2004) Cara Mullio and Jennifer Volland shared forgotten stories and gorgeous images from their just-released coffee table book about Case Study House architect Edward A. Killingsworth and his activity and contributions in the International City.
Other panels put a spotlight on Long Beach’s underlying and massive skateboarding culture (highest per capita skate parks in the U.S.A) and highlights from its local food scene (old school and unironic). Speakers on the first topic included pro Chad Tim Tim, ex-pro Justin Reynolds, and shoe designer Paul Kwon (not shown: skate videographer Ricki Bedenbaugh), while Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold ruminated on the latter. Giants in their fields, all of them.
There was also a very cool music panel mashing up the city’s colored punk past represented by Joe Escalante from The Vandals and Jack Grisham from T.S.O.L. and its modern Cambodia Town subculture via Chhom Nimol and Zac Holtzman from Dengue Fever. You can watch Suburbia and Sleepwalking Through The Mekong if you aren’t familiar with them, and what other city has spawned such influential and unique sounds from not one but two underground scenes? I’m grateful that Imprint heads Tanya, Jeff, Julia, and Renzei would encourage such a panel of outsiders–not to mention all the others.
As the Psychic Temple’s renovation nears completion, it seems like setting up a second Long Beach-related conference might be in order. What do you think? Comments and suggestions are welcome, as are vows to purchase tickets and attend. Let me know what you think at martin[at]intertrend[dot]com.
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