This is the first in a series of panel sessions launching the fourth volume of Bracket, titled Takes Action. Bracket [Takes Action] collects essays and projects that question how actions can be designed, accommodated for, and encouraged through both creative practice and design citizenship. The book and conversation is situated at a critical point in history in which actions need to be re-conceptualized to relate to who we are, how we live, and how we communicate today. The role of design and the agency of the designer are at stake in facilitating or stifling action.

This session will focus on ReAction and CounterAction as modes of operating and thinking. ReAction consists of bold statements and projects that are reactionary in nature. This refers to reconceptualizing everyday elements of life—such as the suburban home or speculative office tower—to the challenging negotiation within agonistic pluralism. What can design do when it is entitled to simply react? CounterAction offers unique and alternative sites for action at various scales. These include playful surfaces, hidden kitchens, refugee camps, and the new demands of the civic square. How can the overlooked sites of appearance in our contemporary commons promote alternative forms of action?

Speakers: Chris Roach (California College of the Arts), Azadeh Zaferani (The Bartlett), Lindsay Harkema (City College of New York), and Kees Lokman (University of British Columbia). Moderated by: Neeraj Bhatia (California College of the Arts) & Mason White (University of Toronto). Co-presented with Daniels Faculty at the University of Toronto.

About Bracket [Takes Action] :

The rise of several divisive leaders within contemporary politics, has once again brought action to the foreground. As a new generation makes their voices heard, they are also grappling to find effective platforms for action through design. This is particularly important to consider at a moment when the authoritative systems—Governments and corporations—appear more divergent to the voices on the ground. At the same time, within an increasingly pluralistic society, what we collectively value is increasingly unclear, which presents a primary challenge on taking action. Bracket [Takes Action] is situated at a critical point in history where the who, what, where, and how of action need to be re-conceptualized to relate to who we are, how we live, and how we communicate today. The role of design and the agency of the designer are at stake in facilitating or stifling action. Bracket [Takes Action] contains over 28 essays and 15 design projects that are structured into six sub-themes: ReAction, CounterAction, InterAction, FAction, InAction, and RetroAction. Our contention in this collection of texts and projects is that a democracy in deficit cannot be repaired without a deeper investigation in how actions can be designed, accommodated for, and encouraged. Equally, this is our call to action—it is time for design to take greater accountability for its actions in our contemporary socio-political spheres. Bracket [Takes Action] provokes spatial practice’s potential to incite and respond to action. Editorial board for Takes Action includes: Pier Vittorio Aureli, Vishaan Chakrabarti, Belinda Tato, and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto. 

Purchase here in Canada.

Purchase here in United States.