We are happy and very proud to share the news that Marie-Louise Richards, Lecturer in Architecture at the Royal Institute of Art, will be presenting alongside Angela Davis for The Architectural Review’s W Awards on March 7th. In a conversation with Davis, Richards will delve into the significant impact of Davis’s advocacy for social justice in the realm of architecture.
In The Architectural Review’s recent March issue, Richards writes: “The work of the abolitionist and civil rights activist Angela Davis is a cornerstone for architects advocating for spatial justice. Known internationally for her long-standing ongoing work to combat all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad and marked as one of the most important intellectuals of our time––Angela Davis, has for almost six decades not only believed that reimagining justice through the abolishment of prisons, means imagining a society that no longer relies on repressive efforts of violence and incarceration. But also the transformation of the built environment” Davis’ intellectual contribution therefore, is an invaluable source for spatial practitioners showing that reimagining justice is ultimately about transforming society entirely, envisioning forms of justice that are transformative and restorative. “Critically”, Richards argues, “Davis’ body of work demonstrates how black feminist thought has always offered the radical tools we need for radical change”.
Read the article here.
Angela Davis, a renowned political activist, academic, and author, has played a pivotal role in the U.S. civil rights movement. Widely recognised for her contributions to racial justice, women’s rights, and criminal justice reform, Davis holds the position of professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in its History of Consciousness Department. She is the co-founder of Critical Resistance, an organization working to abolish the prison-industrial complex. Davis is the author of several groundbreaking works, most recently Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Volume 1 that will be published by Penguin in March 2024.
Marie-Louise Richards is the founder and leader of the the experimental research course for further education and platform Reconstructions at the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm. Her work explores ‘black feminist spatial futures’ as embodiment, critical strategy and spatial category through methods of architectural and artistic research, curatorial practice and writing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the next advanced-level further education course, Reconstructions led by Marie-Louise at the Royal Institute of Art 2024/25. The course aims to reimagine spatial practices ”otherwise,” drawing inspiration from black feminism. Reconstructions is an experimental, interdisciplinary, and practice-based initiative, fostering dialogue and engagement among an intimate group of practitioners and researchers, in addition to invited guests.
The application deadline is 10 April [Application opens 5 March]