Learning Series Lecture: The Weight of the Pre-Invented World

Floor 3, Theater

Individual, Dual, and Friend Members

“Architecture, in its essence, is very much about power.”
—Carrie Mae Weems

“I’m trying to lift off the weight of the pre-invented world so I can see what’s underneath it all.”
—David Wojnarowicz

In this talk, teaching fellow Joshua Lubin-Levy will consider depictions of land and urban space in the art of David Wojnarowicz (1954–1992) through the lens of site and site-specificity. The discussion will also address themes from Pacha, Llaqta, Wasichay: Indigenous Space, Modern Architecture, New Art, an exhibition of work by seven contemporary artists exploring Indigenous thinking about the built environment. Galvanized by his position as an outsider—poor, queer, HIV-positive—Wojnarowicz created a visual vocabulary of buildings, maps, and other motifs that function as symbols for the mainstream political institutions and cultural norms which he sought to critique. Drawing centrally on his concept of the pre-invented world, this lecture will explore the idea of mapping a queer relationship to the present.

Option 1: Wednesday, August 1
5:30–6:30 pm

Option 2: Sunday, September 9
12–1 pm

Option 3: Saturday, September 29
3–4 pm

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Individual, Dual, and Friend Members are invited to this event; for Individual members, the invitation is for one person and for Dual and Friend members, the invitation is for two people. Log in with the primary email associated with your account to register.

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