Architecture has representational power—agency in determining who or what gets represented, and how, within its realms of visibility and effect. But what is more central to political struggle than the question of representation as such? And given that plans, models, sections, diagrams, and the like are instrumental to governmental institutions and the distribution of rights, is representation as a political category not architectural in nature? Can architecture’s intimate relationship with specific representational formats contribute to their political reinvention and redeployment? And at the same time, what tools, mechanisms, concepts, and devices have been traditionally overlooked in architectural discourse yet act as the discipline’s very own means of political representation, and are thus vital to consider with equal weight?
Architecture and Representation is a project by Het Nieuwe Instituut, The Berlage, and e-flux Architecture. It is complemented by a lecture series at Het Nieuwe Instituut and The Berlage, the program of which can be seen here.
