AFFRONT describes how architecture is inherently political, and politics is inherently architectural. Both are founded upon and take form through control. Both change and manipulate space, both share a bond of power. That power can support or divide, shelter or segregate, unify or displace. Both can be wielded as beacons of hope or weapons of persecution; or a complicated combination of the two, one posing as the other (e.g. an abusive mental asylum disguised as a rehabilitation center, a tax loophole enactment masquerading as a healthcare reformation bill). Both deal with the tenuous balance between imagery and structure. We as individuals and collectives must engage with both their imageries and structures to address alarming current issues in the pursuit to achieve equity, re-gain freedom of expression and the press, and re-establish the social good.
AFFRONT is fed from the historic 2017 U.S. federal election and its term following thus far. We have seen language deteriorate, witnessed abusive actions released upon minorities and the disenfranchised. Whole populations are targeted, “otherness” perpetuates in often violent ways. The political fabric is encroaching ever so closely towards the deep abyss. Widespread divisiveness has been exhumed. More of us embody this division more so than we care to admit. But it is there, like a current running below our feet, like the pixels of a flickering TV screen whose imagery seduces us. Must we accept this?
AFFRONT, in spirit and in physical form, exploits the imagery and structure of political architecture through absurdity, simply to pose a question of our current position. AFFRONT is an idea that both embodies the abusive actions our country has suffered, and directly confronts it. Any form of opposing voice is silenced, any form of counter-action is condemned. Any form of opposition is rendered futile, while it continues to perpetuate its manifesto of extreme selfrighteousness and absolutism. How long will it last? To what end?
AFFRONT is everywhere, yet it may not always take physical shape. We can name and condemn it, yet it is fluid and anonymous enough to spread to millions of people. It is laughed at and ridiculed by the educated, yet it wields incredible willpower, and more often than not to serve itself at the expense of others.
We shall confront confrontation.
We shall not tolerate intolerance.
We shall right injustice.
We will pursue the dogged path of social and equitable conscience.
