GENDER MASQUERADE

Content

Stereotypical gender roles in architecture need to be unmasked. So, why not do it in a playful way?. This course is dedicated to examine the relationship between Architecture and Feminism through the performance of couplings of architects, designers or urbanists. Nowadays, with the new wave of feminism, names like Ray Eames, Denise Scott-Brown and Alison Smithson are attracting attention and raising questions about their controversial and positive contributions in partnership. Participants will be introduced to key concepts and arguments of feminist theories in order to question problematic instances in intimate collaborations, currently and throughout history. How can feminist activism empower and engage future architects in a critical view of the architectural discourse? and how can it help them define their professional role and work in teams?.

Methodology

The feminist course is both descriptive and active. It consists initially of seminars, lectures, and group discussions on architecture and feminisms, to conclude with a series of workshops and a final acting of the couplings. By adopting a feminist pedagogy that follows collective processes and redefines the power relationships, we are all co-learners in the classroom. The malleable and complex condition of gender in couplings is exploited through the method of role-playing, as a masquerade of constant performance in society. Participants analyse a case study of a coupling of their choice, and perform a relevant aspect of their dynamic in pairs or groups. They step into the characters shoes, at a certain time, location and culture, and in some cases they even swap gender roles. They design the scripts, costume, scenography and set up the room for fellow students and guests. 

Mission

Participants are empowered to follow their personal strenghts and re-write architectural history. Coupling is a relatable union for them to approach these complex issues. With their whole body, they experience first hand the ‘performativity’ of gender, awaken a sense of activism and end up feeling optimistic about their future in the profession. In this sense, the notion of architectural labour is critically adjusted and, above all, the participants co-learn in a safe space of performative fun.

 Summer Semester 2021—Gender Masquerade—Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany

Couplings Performed by Architecture Master Students from their Homes During COVID19 Pandemic

 Summer Semester 2020—the Modernist Edition of GM—DIA, Germany

Couplings Performed by Architecture Master Students from their Homes During COVID19 Pandemic Using Media

Winter Semester 2019/2020—the Bauhaus Edition of GM—DIA, Germany

Coupling Performed by Architecture Master Students at the Bauhaus Stage in Dessau

 Summer Semester 2019—the Interdisciplinary Edition of GM—Hochschule Anhalt, Germany

Couplings Performed by Architecture and Integrated Design Master/Bachelor Students

Winter Semester 2018/19—Dessau International Architecture, Hochschule Anhalt, Germany

Couplings Performed by Architecture Master Students

May 9th and 16th 2018—the Pilot of GM—Hochschule Anhalt, Germany

Couplings Performed by Architecture, Design, and Monumental Heritage Master Students

© 2018 Inés Toscano