Event
Architecture And Capitalism Infrastructure (Social And Physical) Green New Deal
November 16, 2021
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Nearly a century ago, the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier observed that “it is the question of building that lies at the root of the social unrest of today; architecture or revolution.” Le Corbusier was probably referring here to the threats posed by revolutionary Marxism, which precipitated the overthrow of the Russian Czar toward the end of the first World War. But he may as well have been talking about the challenges facing so many nations today. In the United States, military expenditures here continue to exceed that of all other major industrialized countries combined. Meanwhile, public spending on social and physical infrastructure has diminished. Political divisions and economic inequalities are at levels not seen since the Great Depression.
For this event, we examine the role that building can play in remedying the economic, biological, and social crises facing so many nations today. We talk about its importance to the future of the public sphere, not just from a political point of view but also from an ecological and humanitarian standpoint. We debate the ongoing challenges that monopoly capitalism poses to our life on this planet. We also consider some of the theories of infrastructure current in artistic and policy-related circles. We will assess the merits of the Green New Deal, which pairs labor programs together with the climate crisis. We will also compare notes on activist movements taking root in various parts of the world. Our goal here is to offer students an analysis of the challenges facing the world today; we want them to hear from leading thinkers and commentators. It is also our intention to introduce our students to ways to employ their talents and skills to benefit the planet as a whole.
Welcome
Maria R. Perbellini, Dean, School of Architecture and Design, New York Institute of Technology
Introductions and Moderation
- Nader Voussoughian, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Design, New York Institute of Technology
- Hyun-Tae Jung, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Design, New York Institute of Technology
Panelists
Yanis Varoufakis
Greek-Australian economist and politician
Bio
Yanis Varoufakis served as Minister of Finance of Greece in 2015.
Varoufakis taught economics and econometrics at the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia. In 1988, he spent a year as a Fellow at the University of Cambridge. From 1989-2000 he taught as senior lecturer in economics at the Department of Economics of the University of Sydney and in 2000 he accepted the offer to become Professor of Economic Theory at the University of Athens.
From 2004-06, Varoufakis served as economic advisor to George Papandreou, then Leader of the Opposition during 2004-06. In 2012 Varoufakis became Economist-in-Residence at Valve Corporation. He researched the virtual economy on the Steam digital delivery platform, specifically looking at exchange rates and trade deficits. From 2013-14 he taught at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin as a visiting professor.
On 25 January 2015, Yanis Varoufakis was appointed finance minister by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras after the election victory of Syriza in the parliamentary election. Varoufakis resigned as Finance Minister on 6 July 2015.
Yanis Varoufakis studied economics in the UK, first at the University of Essex and secondly mathematical statistics at the University of Birmingham. He has a PhD in economics.
Varoufakis has written several books on game theory, microeconomics and macroeconomics.
The world-renowned economist and bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis presents his thoughts about capitalism and infrastructure today.
Peggy Deamer
Emeritus Professor of Architecture, Yale University
Bio
Peggy Deamer is Professor Emerita of Yale University’s School of Architecture and principal in the firm of Deamer, Studio. She is the founding member of the Architecture Lobby, a group advocating for the value of architectural design and labor. She is the editor of Architecture and Capitalism: 1845 to the Present and The Architect as Worker: Immaterial Labor, the Creative Class, and the Politics of Design and the author of Architecture and Labor. Articles by her have appeared in Log, Avery Review, e-Flux, and Harvard Design Magazine amongst other journals. Her theory work explores the relationship between subjectivity, design, and labor in the current economy. Her design work has appeared in HOME, Home and Garden, Progressive Architecture, and the New York Times amongst other journals. She received the Architectural Record 2018 Women in Architecture Activist Award and the 2021 John Q. Hejduk Award.
This is a discussion of architecture’s role in capitalism and the manner in which it is circumscribed by capitalism and furthers capitalism’s agenda. In discussion with Nader Vossoughian, Hyun-Tae Jung and Ioannis Georgiou Varoufakis, we will examine the role that building can play in remedying the economic, biological, and social crises facing so many nations today. We will talk about its importance to the future of the public sphere, not just from a political point of view but also from an ecological and humanitarian standpoint. We will debate the ongoing challenges that monopoly capitalism poses to our life on this planet.
We will consider some of the theories of infrastructure current in artistic and policy-related circles. We will assess the merits of the Green New Deal, which pairs labor programs together with the climate crisis. And we will examine activist movements taking root in various parts of the world.
NOTE: You must register to receive the pertinent Zoom information. If you already registered for this event, you do not need to register again.
New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design at the 17th International Architecture Biennale 2021, and the Virtual Italian Pavilion
Questions? Contact the School of Architecture & Design at archevents@nyit.edu