Things in the Making—Contemporary Architecture and the Pragmatist Imagination

The event, convened by Terence Riley and Joan Ockman, included Iñaki Abalos, Stan Allen, Caroline Bos, Robert Bruegmann, Rosalyn Deutsche, Peter Eisenman, Raymond Gastil, Christian Girard, K. Michael Hays, Walter Hood, Gene King, Rem Koolhaas, Mark Linder, John Rajchman, Mahadev Raman, Richard Rorty, Martha Rosler, Roger Sherman, Robert Somol, Mark Wamble, and Cornel West.

Schedule
November 10

2:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Introductory Remarks
Welcome and speaker introductions by Terence Riley and Joan Ockman, conveners.


2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Session 1: Defining the Issues: What is pragmatism? What are its implications for architecture today?
A philosopher’s lecture defining the key issues in contemporary pragmatist debates and suggesting their relevance to architecture and urbanism.

Speaker:
John Rajchman


3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m.
Session 2: A Historical Perspective on the Relationship between Architecture and Pragmatism
An architectural historian’s lecture tracing some pragmatist currents of twentieth-century architecture.

Speaker:
Robert Bruegmann


4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Session 3: Conversation 1
A dialogue between philosopher Richard Rorty and architect Peter Eisenman.

November 11

9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Introductory Remarks
Welcome and speaker introductions by Terence Riley and Joan Ockman, conveners.


10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Session 4: A theory of practice? A practical theory?
A panel on the relationship between architectural theory and practice.

Speakers:
Iñaki Abalos
Stan Allen
Christian Girard
Mark Linder

Moderator:
K. Michael Hays


11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Session 5: Forms of Inquiry and Innovation
A panel on new logics of technology, information, and perceptual experience driving aesthetic innovation today.

Speakers:
Caroline Bos
Gene King
Mahadev Raman
Mark Wamble

Moderator:
Robert Somol


2:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Session 6: Public Space and the Public
A panel on problems and prospects of public life today in relation to the city and architecture.

Speakers:
Rosalyn Deutsche
Walter Hood
Martha Rosler
Roger Sherman

Moderator:
Raymond Gastil


3:45 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
Session 7: Conversation 2
A dialogue between philosopher Cornel West and architect Rem Koolhaas.

More on this Event

Ockman, Joan. ”Consequences of Pragmatism: A Retrospect on 'The Pragmatist Imagination.'” In The Figure of Knowledge: Conditioning Architectural Theory, 1960s–1990s, edited by Sebastiaan Loosen, Rajesh Heynickx, and Hilde Heynen, 269–98. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2020.

Boxer, Sarah. “The New Face of Architecture.“ New York Times, November 25, 2000.