The Nexus

The work of Polymode and Poche Design both give reference to Black visuality: odes to their West African cultural heritage, traditional architectural education, deep knowledge of the Black archive to offer two disparate, but fully embodied approaches to graphic design.

Dweller has been unearthing the Black origins of electronic music and informing political discourse through provoking, and expansive expert interviews understood in the lens of Black electronica.

Serpentwithfeet has exhibited this versatility through experimental R&B music, and the creation of safe spaces for Black queer communities to relate and flourish through critical reading, and self-reflection.

Educators and curators Mpho Matsipa and Antawan Byrd delve into Pan-Africanism, counternarratives, and the transformative power of art and archives. Matsipa’s “African Mobilities” challenges conventional representation, while Byrd explores diaspora narratives. They discuss the impact of mobility and knowledge, innovative archiving, and the broader implications of Pan-Africanism in shaping diverse voices within the art and architectural archive.  Mpho Matsipa, an educator, researcher, and curator, and Antawan Byrd, an Assistant Professor of Art History and Associate Curator of Photography and Media, delve into the complexities of Pan-Africanism, identity, and the power of counternarratives within art and archives. Matsipa’s “African Mobilities” project challenges conventional socio-spatial norms and representation, while Byrd explores themes of diaspora, connection, and narrative in his curatorial work. They examine the impact of mobility, voices, and knowledge on counter-cartographies, highlighting innovative archiving and cataloging approaches, with a reflection on the broader implications of Pan-Africanism, particularly its role in embracing diverse voices and identities within the art and architectural archive. 

The practices of Akil and Seth Scafe Smith from RESOLVE Collective and filmmaker Ama Gisèle explore the fascinating realm where design transcends boundaries, drawing inspiration from a myriad of artistic disciplines and visual cultures. As they redefine ‘local’ in architecture, they engage with profound questions of identity and representation. Through Gisèle’s experimental documentary, “Convergence,” and Akil and Seth’s distinctive approach to community engagement, their creative processes place a strong emphasis on inclusivity and representation, pushing designers to engage the intricacies of labor organization and adaptability within their work.

Kennedy Yanko, a sculptor, and installation artist and Camille Bacon, a Chicago-based writer, explore the intersections of art, spirituality, and abstraction. Kennedy’s innovative use of found metal and paint skin pushes the boundaries of visual perception, while Camille’s writing delves deep into the world of Black feminist practices and their connection to aesthetics. Join them They discuss the transformative power of abstraction in art and design pushing artists and designers to explore the complex relationship between creative process, cultural heritage and spirituality within the Black diaspora. 

Nifemi Marcus-Bello and Curry J. Hackett engage in a conversation on designing narratives of place, with particular attention to practice grounded in mobility and empathy.

Sean Canty expresses the value of looking outside the profession, especially other visual cultures, to create new meanings for our work as architects.

Lesley Lokko delves into the relationship between fiction writing and Architecture and breaks down the role of the school in preparing future architects.

We learn from Dana McKinney how her commitment to activism has been integral to her architectural practice and education.

The Nexus goes live with Black in Design 2021: Black Matter! We reflect on two panels held on October 9th with attendees of the Black in Design conference.

Sekou Cooke interrogates the notion of Hip-Hop Architecture through a close reading of his latest book, and shares the origins of the Black in Design Conference.

Dmitri Julius connects the dots between terrestrial, sustainable building practices and new technologies being developed for human habitation in outer space.

Tiara Hughes calls for equity across the architecture community, with an emphasis on increasing initiatives that focus on education and mentorship.

Rob Problak Gibbs details how his origins as a graffiti writer and practice as a muralist have shaped the ways in which he engages with his community through the built environment.

Justin Garrett Moore shares the history of Urban Patch and its origins in Flanner House, a locus for self-help services started by his grandfather, Albert Allen Moore, for Black people in 1940s Indianapolis. Through this project, we explore the importance of expanding the archive of Architectural history to include the records of marginalized communities.

Today’s episode is going to take the shape of a slightly different format. It will be a conversation between myself, Amir Hall, and Dr. Marisa Parham. We discuss identity as expressed through our engagement with various digital media. The conversation takes a look at how digital technology has allowed us to transcend time and space and reinvent ourselves in virtual worlds.

In this episode, we talk to Isabel Strauss, a Master of Architecture student at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in her thesis year. Strauss discusses her thesis project which takes the shape of a Request for Proposals to address paths to reparati...

In this episode, we talk to urbanist, architect, and GSD professor Toni L. Griffin about different modes of authorship at the intersection of plan-making, place-making, and publication. Professor Griffin also shares some insights on her career trajectory, from architecture to urban design to working in the public sector, recent research and publications from the Just City Lab, and the necessity for designers to forge interdisciplinary partnerships in order to dismantle injustice.

For this month's episode, we talk to urban designer and GSD professor Stephen Gray about bridging between academia and real-world projects, looking at the current moment of racial reckoning as an opportunity for innovation, and recent projects that critically examine the racialized history of the design disciplines. We also get into the parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the longer pandemic of structural racism, as well as how discourse around post-war or post-crisis city-building often falls short of committing to racial justice.