After the sell-out success of its inaugural events in 2015, Turncoats returns for three more playful discussions on key topics facing architects in contemporary practice. Framed by incendiary opening gambits, the three remaining events will bring the theatrical Turncoats format to bear on ornamentation, architectural feminism and elitism in the profession.
First up, Ornament is crime is crime critiques minimalistic material lust as a form of class warfare. The panel includes acclaimed artist and sculptor Pablo Bronstein, fashion editor Bertie Brandes founder of Mushpit, designer and PhD candidate Jane Hall of Turner Prize-winning Assemble alongside Postmodernism protagonist and furniture designer Adam Nathaniel Furman guest chaired by Charles Holland of Ordinary Architecture and formerly of FAT.
In February The Gender Agenda, tackles the state of current discourse surrounding women in architect. The panel is director of Farshid Moussavi Architecture and professor-in-practice at Harvard, Fashid Moussavi, multiple award winning architect Alison Brooks, Vere Van Gool whose work and research seeks to battle the undervaluing of women in all the creative disciplines and the political journalist and contributor to Spiked magazine Ella Whelan.
Finally for the Turncoats grand finale Toss Posh Tosh will examine the subject of elitism and privilege in the industry as a framework to discuss the dwindling professional authority of the architects. The panel includes urban researcher and designer Julia King, founder of socially-focussed and community-led firm Baxendale Lee Ivett, arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic of The Spectator and Martyn Evans board member of the London Festival of Architecture and Creative Director of U+I. The debate will be guest chaired by Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas and panelist on BBC Radio 4's Moral Maze.
Tickets are free but booking is essential to guarantee your place.
Ornament is crime is crime, Hoxton Hall, 6.30pm, Wednesday 27 January 2016
The Gender Agenda, U+I, 6.30pm, Thursday 11 February 2016
Toss Posh Tosh, Hoxton Hall, Thursday 25 February 2016
Turncoats was created by Phineas Harper, Maria Smith and Robert Mull and is supported by the CASS, The Architecture Foundation and U+I with Dezeen as official media partner.