Anarchism/Anti-State

“Anarchitecture: Anarchist Principles Made Concrete | Anarchist Studies Network 7th International Conference, 2022” by Jonathan Burke

Full PDF Available: Anarchitecture_Anarchist_Principles_Made

Anarchist futures are typically envisioned from a political perspective, as problem solving exercises for contemporary socio-economic ills. Consequently, their discussion is often confined to special interest groups within academic and activist circles, rendering anarchist futures less visible and accessible to broader society. The arts offer media through which anarchism can be imagined, depicted, and distributed outside these contexts, and architectural designs and installations in particular, whether virtual or physical, can provide the public with concrete, interactive experiences with anarchist futures, making anarchism more accessible and comprehensible. This paper outlines the history of anarcho-architecture, or anarchitecture, describing its inception by an artistic collective in the 1970s, and its later influence on both architecture and pop culture through the work of outsider architect Lebbeus Woods. The paper concludes by presenting an argument for using both virtual and physical anarchitecture to educate broader society in the benefits of anarchist futures.

Categories: Anarchism/Anti-State

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