Xeno-feminism is a theory of emancipation based on the notion that technology can enable the breakdown of nature/ culture dichotomies and be a means of liberating people from their biological immediacy. As such, XF provides a framework for examining organizational systems of power and post-human perspectives, challenging current social and political systems and subverting the standard us-them binary on which they are based. In terms of architectural production, this means re-imagining the practices involved, as a well as redefining some of the most basic objects of the discipline, be it architecture, the environment, and the human.

In XENO*FEM*SPACE we will discuss theories and approaches of xenofeminism in their relevance to spatial practice and explore methods that combine theoretical analysis and speculation, and produce intersectional overlays of space, nature, gender, the other, the body and technology.

Course Goals:

(a) Introduction to the themes of XF, modes of analysis, critique and practice

(b) Introduction to the relevance of gendered and feminist perspectives on spatial thinking

(c) Understanding of the interconnectedness of Architecture with cultural, political and critical conditions.

15.10.24

    Info-Session
        a. pedagogical overview
        b. semester content  

22.10.24 : Manifesto
    13:00-16:00  
        Introduction to Discussion Tactics
        Discussion of Terms within The Xenofeminist Manifesto, 
            Laboria Cuboniks (2018)

29.10.24 : Gender
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Presentations & Reading Discussions
            a. “A Cyborg Manifesto,” Donna Haraway
            b. Gender Trouble, Judith Butler            

5.11.24 : Gender Project Mapping
    13:00-16:00  
        Manifesto Fuguing: Interrupt
        Student Project Entries   

12.11.24 : Other
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Presentations & Reading Discussions
            a. “’Other’ Spaces and Others,” Mary McLeod
            b. Toward a Minor Architecture, Jill Stoner

19.11.24 : Other Project Mapping
    13:00-16:00  
        Manifesto Fuguing: Trap
        Student Project Entries   

26.11.24 : Body
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Presentations & Reading Discussions
            a. “Abodes of Theory and Flesh,” Jennifer Bloomer
            b. “Human Scale,” Tara Bissett

03.12.24 : Body Project Mapping
    13:00-16:00  
        Manifesto Fuguing: Parity
        Student Project Entries  

26.11.24 : Technology
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Presentations & Reading Discussions
            a. The Exploit, Alexander Galloway & Eugene Thacker
            b. Glitch Feminism, Legacy Russell

03.12.24 : Technology Project Mapping
    13:00-16:00  
        Manifesto Fuguing: Adjust, Carry
        Student Project Entries  

26.11.24 : Nature
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Presentations & Reading Discussions
            a. “Appropriation and the concept of Nature,” Yves Bonnardel
            b. Being Ecological, Timothy Morton

03.12.24 : Nature Project Mapping
    13:00-16:00  
        Manifesto Fuguing: Overflow
        Student Project Entries  

03.12.24 : Editing Workshop
    13:00-16:00  
        Student Peer-Review

03.12.24 : Production Workshop
    13:00-16:00  
        Collective Zine Construction