Critical Praxis for the Emerging Culture

March 1, 2004 -- The School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis will present an international symposium on media, technology and cultural transformation April 15, 16 and 17.

* Schedule and Bios
* Principal Participants
* The St. Louis Projection

Critical Praxis for the Emerging Culture: A Collaborative Investigation Into the Nature of Cultural Transformation Brought About by Technology and Media, will include presentations and panel discussions with world renowned artists, designers, theoreticians and scientists who are transforming emerging technology and using it as a vehicle of cultural inquiry.

"The intent of Critical Praxis for the Emerging Culture is to investigate the social and cultural transformations which result from our information and media driven contemporary society," said Cynthia Weese, FAIA, dean of the School of Architecture. "The presentations by young architects and designers will provide alternative views and attitudes in emerging design practices. Insights generated will help project the future development of design and technological education and practice."

At 9:30 a.m., Friday, April 16, art historian Philip Walsh, assistant professor at Northeastern University in Boston, will moderate a panel discussion on Film/Installation/Performance: Spatial Formations. At 2 p.m., Walsh will host a second discussion, on Technology and Design Between Theory and Practice.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, Carol Strohecker, principal investigator of the Everyday Learning research group at Media Lab Europe in Dublin, will moderate the final discussion, on Complexity of Cultural Shifts: Projecting Critical Praxis.

All events are free and open to the public. Panel discussions take place in Washington University's Steinberg Auditorium, located in the Gallery of Art, Steinberg Hall, near the intersection of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards. For more information, call (314) 935-6200.

(In addition to Critical Praxis, Wodiczko will speak for the School of Architecture's Monday Night Lecture Series at 6 p.m. April 19 in Steinberg Auditorium.)

A publication will document both the installation and the symposium proceedings.

Critical Praxis for the Emerging Culture is organized by Washington University's School of Architecture, School of Art and Sam Fox Arts Center, with additional support from the School of Law, the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, the Department of Computer Science & Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Graham Foundation for Advancement in Fine Arts, Chicago, and the university's Sesquicentennial Grants.