Architecture and empowerment
Where language ends: Antony Gormley’s discourse series
Monday 11 November 2019 6.30 - 8pm
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
£20, £12
Antony Gormley
Generously supported by
The Architecture programme is supported by
Antony Gormley is joined by community engagement strategist Daisy Froud, Alastair Parvin of Wikihouse and Burkina Faso-born architect Francis Kéré to discuss how we can all benefit from being involved in the process of designing and building.
Antony Gormley’s work has continually explored the relationship between our individual bodies and collective spaces drawing fascinating and insightful understandings of architecture and the inhabitation of the city.
For this panel, we bring together architects who believe in the social potential of architecture and are empowering non-professionals to be involved in the creation of their spaces. Alastair Parvin of Wikihouse embraces new technologies to allow people to both design and build their own houses from a kit-of-parts, while Francis Kéré is working in his native Burkina Faso and surrounding areas, involving the local community in the creation of new building projects. Daisiy Froud, a strategist specialising in brief-development, community engagement and participatory design will additionally address the importance of empowering diverse voices to meaningfully contribute to design decision-making.
Gormley, Parvin, Kéré and Froud will discuss the potential of such practices on individuals and society with the RA’s Head of Architecture, Kate Goodwin.
Where language ends: Antony Gormley’s discourse series
In a conversation between the artist and the late art historian, Ernst Gombrich, Gormley alluded to the fact that he wanted his work to start “where language ends”.
Inspired by the intimate conversations held by Antony Gormley in his studio with guests from a range of disciplines, this series of events invites you to unpick and consider the wide-ranging themes that have featured within his practice.