Free events for creative types this weekend

The annual ByDesign film series offers a couple of free opportunities in Seattle this week to peek at the latest in digital video and audio art trends. Free is good, yes?

ByDesign kicks off this Thursday, March 6th with an opening reception featuring works exploring the synchronization of color, shape and type with sound. Contributing producers/performers at the opening night reception include UK group Semiconductor Films, and digital music artists Son of Rose and Caro. (8:00 pm, free)

If you miss the opening reception, you can catch the Time Out of Place production from Semiconductor on Saturday, March 8th, showing between the hours of 3:00 pm and 7:15 pm. (free)
On Sunday, March 9th you can soak in four works from Graham Wood, of the acclaimed creative group Tomato. These pieces are described as "haunting, kaleidoscopic animated sequences." (Hmmm. Consider enhancing your visual perception beforehand if you are into that sort of thing.) Showing between the hours of 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. (free)

The series lineup includes a few additional interesting screenings, but these will cost ya: Entrophy: New Shorts and Music Videos; Helvetica; and History of Computer Graphics in Film. (Tron, anyone?) The Helvetica documentary film received good reviews from Time Out London and Chicago Tribune. Check the ByDesign 08 site for deets.

Minor detour: Helvetica is all the rage these days. MoMA's exhibit "50 Years of Helvetica" is showing through March 31st and highlights the typeface's history, ubiquity, and influence. I caught it back in October and it was surprisingly interesting. Get the catalog on the MoMA website if you are a font-head.

All events are held at the Northwest Film Forum in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. [map]