Terrestrial/Celestial
Lecture: “Terrestrial/Celestial”
The contemporary designer wields an abundance of information, a technological arsenal, and an optimistic outlook on cultural progress. And yet, we are confronted by insurmountable crises: from climate change and mass migration to social justice issues. It is perplexing to envision how the default practices of today can effectively tackle the very crises they have contributed to. In this lecture, Brandon Clifford will guide us on a journey into the minds of designers from prehistory. This exploration will delve into practices, approaches, and mindsets that seem alien to our contemporary sensibilities, challenging our perspectives on the present condition. Through this expedition, we will unearth solutions to today’s crises embedded in the depths of prehistory. These alternative approaches have the potential to reshape our understanding, prompting a reconsideration of our current building practices. The lecture will touch upon themes ranging from labor and climate to the education of architects and creators.
About the Lecturer
Brandon Clifford is a time-traveler who develops creative approaches to the world’s most pressing problems. He identifies contemporary blind-spots by mining ancient knowledge that holds resonance with topics of today. Brandon is the director and co-founder of Matter Design and an associate professor at MIT. Brandon received his Master of Architecture from Princeton University and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Georgia Tech. In 2011-12 he was the Howard E. LeFevre ’29 Emerging Practitioner Fellow at The Ohio State University. Brandon is a designer and researcher who has received recognition with prizes such as the American Academy in Rome Prize, a MacDowell Fellowship, a TED Fellowship, the SOM Prize, and the Architectural League Prize for Young Architects & Designers. His most recent authored work ‘The Cannibal’s Cookbook’ demonstrates his dedication to bringing ancient knowledge into contemporary practice with theatrical captivation. His work at Matter Design is focused on re-directing architectural research through spectacle and mysticism. Clifford’s speculative built works continue to disrupt common practices and challenge default solutions.
https://www.matterdesignstudio.com/
Max Abramovitz Distinguished Lectureship