If African American experience emerges from the structure of slavery, how does architecture relate to that experience? African Americans have claimed space in unexpected locations—often in opposition to architecture as a Eurocentric discipline that has served to regulate and exclude them. In Search of African American Space examines both historical record and personal and collective memory to uncover these instances. African American space can be creative and aspirational, taking the form of speech and performance that reflects its fleeting nature.
This anthology of essays from contemporary architects, historians and artists presents a broad range of knowledge and practices that evoke consciousness of this form of space making in the afterlife of slavery.
With contributions by Tina M. Campt, Sara Caples and Everardo Jefferson, Radiclani Clytus, J. Yolande Daniels, Jeffrey Hogrefe, Ann S. Holder, Walis Johnson, Elizabeth J. Kennedy, Rodney Leon, Scott Ruff, Marisa Williamson
In Search of African American Space
Description
Author Description
JEFFREY HOGREFE is Associate Professor of Humanities and Media Studies and the founder of the Architecture Writing Program, a transdisciplinary collaboration of the School of Liberal Arts and Science and School of Architecture at Pratt Institute. His upcoming book, The Abolitionist Landscape Project, presents a critical, cultural remapping of the Potomac River Valley.
SCOTT RUFF is Visiting Associate Professor of Architecture at Pratt Institute and author of numerous articles on African American space and subjectivity, including “Signifying: An African America-Language to Landscape.” He is the principal of RuffWorks Studio, a research and design studio specializing in culturally informed projects and community engagement that includes The Guardians Institute, a cultural center for the preservation of the Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans.