4 July–17 July 2012
Architectural Association
36 Bedford Square
London WC1B 3ES
FORMAT—the ‘live magazine’ looking at the shapes discourse takes—returns this summer. Issue 2 will talk about talking, show what it means to show something, and present the hidden politics of presentation. Mixing anecdote and analysis, screenings with singing, FORMAT’s themed, reflexive sessions look back on how knowledge has been formatted into disciplines, institutions, technologies—as well as how the present moment questions, surpasses or ignores received formats of cultural consumption. Paraphrasing Marshall McLuhan malignly: ‘The format is the massage.’
Organized by Shumon Basar.
Issue 2: Schedule
All events commence at 6:30pm in the New Soft Room. Entrance is free.
Wednesday, 4 July
CHAT SHOW FORMAT
presents psychological furniture, psychoanalytical entertainment, and psycho breakdowns
with Sam Jacob and Shumon Basar
Friday, 6 July
PROTEST FORMAT
presents the rules of resistance persisting through time and as-found in the history of cinema
with Michael Brooke and Harry Giles
Wednesday, 11 July
SPAM FORMAT
presents algorithmic authorship, ghost characters, fictional desire, and elaborate romantic art scams
with contributions from Hito Steyerl, Wayne Daly, and Cressida Kocienski
Friday, 13 July
COVER VERSION FORMAT
presents songs that sell familiarity, songs that butcher beloved originals, and the cultural logic compelling us to listen to the same thing, a little differently
with Tamara Barnett-Herrin, Sophie Bernhard, and Mark Fisher
Tuesday, 17 July
COMMENTARY FORMAT
features a live voice-over commentary tribute to Nora Ephron (1941–2012) and pre-9/11 rom-coms, allusions to music television critiques, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and more
with Victoria Camblin, Cécile B. Evans, and Paul Pieroni
