I was so delighted to talk on "Shaping and Sharing Multicultural Identity in Architecture through Archives" at the 51st NeMLA Convention
“Shaping and
Sharing Identities: Spaces, Places, Languages and Cultures”:
NeMLA, Northeast Modern Language Association organized its 51st
Convention
Boston University, Boston, MA, 5-8 March 2020.
“Shaping and
Sharing Identity in Architecture: Imperceptibility of Walls in Archives” *
Meral Ekincioglu, Ph.D.
It
was a privilege for me to speak at the 51st NeMLA, Northeast Modern
Language Association Convention (the theme, “Shaping and Sharing Identities:
Spaces, Places, Languages and Cultures”) offering a rich sample of diversity in
all that it encompasses, both culturally and linguistically in Boston on March
8th 2020. As a speaker at this convention, my presentation and talk, “Shaping and Sharing Identity in
Architecture: Imperceptibility
of Walls in Archives” elaborated and discussed the significance of historical
documentation practice in architecture in shaping and sharing multicultural
identity in the discipline and the profession with an emphasis on recent
surveys, data, professional and scholarly events on the lack of diversity and
inclusion in the U.S. architecture (such as
recent diversity surveys by the American Institute of Architects,
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ data -in 2019- for women
and racial minorities, “Convergence”, a two day event organized by the Harvard
University-Graduate School of Design-women in design group -in 2018-, #metoo in architecture
-in 2018-, Society of Architectural Historians Data Project -in 2020- to determine where and in what ways the field of
architectural history is expanding or receding and to consider the structural
or cultural factors behind such trends, etc.). Needless to say, historical
documentation practice, its strategy and methods (in architecture) have a very
significant potential a. to provide legitimate evidences for identity
recognition, b. to build solid sense of identity, c. to strengthen sense of
belonging for individuals, group and communities, and d. to share personal or
collective memory of each member in a (multicultural) society or community
through an (internal) affirmation of their identities based on their gender,
race, ethnicity, nationality, etc. Based on the problem with the lack of diversity and inclusion in today’s
U.S. (multicultural) architecture, and arguments on the role of historical
documentation in shaping and sharing identity (including gender, race,
ethnicity, nationality, etc.), in my presentation and talk, I elaborated
current situation of collective (multicultural) memory in architectural
archives and collections at some pioneering schools of architecture, and its
importance for “re-thinking”/”re-examining” the notion of “the citizen
architect” defined by the American Institute of Architects in this Citizen
TALES Commons seminar at NeMLA. According to the American Institute of
Architects, “the citizen architect uses his/her insights, talents, training,
and experience to contribute meaningfully, beyond self, to the improvement of the community and human
condition”. As recent surveys, discussions and events on gender, race-based
discrimination, #me too in architecture, etc. indicate, this (multicultural and
international) professional and scholarly community firstly need to improve
their “own human condition”. In order to achieve this goal, ”unity within diversity”
in building collective memory can be one of the helpful start points in
architecture (education) as I discussed its details in my presentation. With
“unity within diversity”, I refer to “the idea of unity” based on genuine
inclusion and equity for social, cultural, national, religious, political,
ideological differences, and “idea of unity” based on an understanding that
differences enrich human interactions (in architecture). With this “healing” (in architectural
collective memory), architect can a. offer his/her knowledge and experience in
advancing civic engagement and public policy “for all”, b. engage at local, state, national level in an
effective way, and c. contribute to discussions on equal and inclusive
citizenship for everyone. Considering the theme of the 51st NEMLA
Convention, including “language”, my suggestion is “empathetic language” that
demonstrates empathy, respect, tolerance to the other person, groups and
communities in architecture for this goal. Finally, for “sharing” within this
context, I emphasized the crucial importance of digital archives and
collections with their inclusive and diverse contents and scopes, and open “to all”.
All rights reserved
© Dr. Meral
Ekincioglu
Reproduction and distribution of any material, knowledge in
this presentation and talk without written permission is prohibited. Its power point presentation and video record are
available in Dr. Ekincioglu’s archive.
*My presentation and talk was a part of Citizen
TALES Commons seminar, title “Imperceptibility of Walls”. Its chair was Dr.
Vassiliki Rapti (Boston University and Harvard University); other speakers and
their presentation titles were Dr. Elena Mancini on “Narrative
Sensibilities, Literary Practices, and the Possibilities for Democratic
Consciousness" and Kenny Yim on "Toward a Collective Consciousness in
Henry James and Monique Truong". In the end of the seminar, Hannah Trivilino, Citizen TALES Commons member
conducted a workshop on sharing and shaping identity, language, and
participants’ reflections on all presentations. Zenovia
Toloudi, co-chair could not partipate into the seminar, and Dr.
Vassiliki shared her power point presentation. For the Citizen TALES Commons
seminar at the 51st NEMLA Convention, please see, https://cfplist.com/nemla/Webforms/Schedule.aspx,
last accessed on 3.9.2020.
For “the citizen architect” definition
by the American Institute of Architects”, see, http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2018-07/Citizen_Architect_Handbook.pdf,
last accessed on 3.3.2020.
The 51st NeMLA Convention Poster
Boston University, 5-8 March 2020.
The 51st NeMLA
Convention participants from all over the world
https://cfplist.com/Nemla/Home/Geographics/,
last accessed on 3.9.2020.
Boston Marriott Copley Place, the 51st NeMLA
Convention Place, 3.8.2020.
(Photo: Meral Ekincioglu, Ph.D.)