Session 1 - Potential Architecture

In the case of P3 - Ambika, the exhibition Potential Architecture - Underground Discussion Club is concentrating on the discussion around urgent issues related to the elitization and purification of our society today provoked by a decadent form of contemporary capitalism. What kind of impact does this process of radical social, economic and political change have on our immediate living environment - on our cities? How is spatial justice manifested within the city of today? Who owns the city and who decides about its ever-changing character? Are we aware of the consequences of urban change and who benefits from it?

If there is any potential in architecture as a responsible professional field, that is building the city, providing structures for the social organization of life, and commodifying power relations then it must be possible to think and reflect upon its own acts, its own doing and consequences of its own results. 

The development of Westminster and Central London sounds like a science fiction story – a place somewhere else – not of this planet - it seems as if the city has already started its own "decay" right here, right now: with this part of London reserved for the super - rich. It seems to be the place with most empty apartments, with, at the same time, the highest percentage of homelessness within the population of the middle class on one hand and, on the other, multi-million pound properties that are being built solely for the super rich whom live most of the time outside the UK.

Actors:
Ekow Eshun , moderator
Professor Katharine Heron
Dr Jon Goodbun
Professor Joe Kerr
Professor Sarat Maharaj
Dr Yasminah Beebeejaun

Organization:
Heather Blair
Michael Maziere

Construction team:
Christian Newton
Joe Boyce
Mohammed Jaffar Ali
Steve Colson

Video recording and post-production team:
Teo Cruz
Ivan Ortega Erazo

Assistant:
Taja Sever