PRIVATE CHOICES PUBLIC SPACES: Exhibition and Event Series

Sheila C. Johnson Design Center - Arnold and Sheila Aronson Galleries

66 Fifth Avenue at 13th Street, New York

September 18 - October 2, 2014

How can design enable dialogue in contested public spaces? Contribute your ideas to this participatory architectural installation and  join in the discussion at the series of events for the ArchiteXX-lead design action for the last remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi.

Curators: Lori Brown, Kimberly Tate

Exhibition Designers:  Ashley Simone, Michele Gorman, Irina Schneid, Lisa Maione

Communications Support: Jennifer Grosso, Shea Giligan, Sarah Rafson

Supported, in part, by Abortion Conversation Project, Syracuse University School of Architecture and Thomas Gallione, Ryan Associates

Attendant programs:

Lecture, Panel Discussion and Opening: Wednesday, September 24, 7pm

Design is a powerful, effective and often under-utilized tool in addressing the complexities of contested spaces. How can design enable dialogue in contested public spaces? Private Choices Public Spaces is grounded in the work recently published Lori Brown’s book, Contested Spaces: Abortion Clinics, Women’s  Shelters and Hospitals.

To frame the conversation, Lori will share a brief overview of her research on the legal and legislative decisions impacting the architecture and geography of access to reproductive healthcare. The panel to follow will further illuminate this socially and politically charged issue and how design intersects in expanding the conversation.

Lori Brown, Syracuse University School of Architecture; Andrew Beck, American Civil Liberties Union New York; Mark Bechtel, School of Constructed Environments, Parsons; Brian McGrath, School of Constructed Environments, Parsons; Miriam Ticktin, Department of Anthropology, New School for Social Research. Moderated by Kimberly Tate,  School of Constructed Environments, Parsons

ArchiteXX MiXX: Thursday, September 25, 7pm

MiXX is the monthly ArchiteXX organizational meeting to review ongoing initiatives and opportunities for participation. Women who are students, practitioners  and academics in all stages of their career development are invited. As usual, this meeting is pot luck.

 Film screening and discussion: Friday, September 26, 7pm

Filmaker Maisie Crow and writer Alissa Quart have created a personal portrait of the effects of abortion restrictions in Mississippi in The Last Clinic. The film captures personal stories about the difficulties women experience seeking abortion by following two young women who have decided to end their pregnancies. They also interview one of the doctor’s who travels to work at the clinic as well as one of the leading anti-choice protestors.

Maisie Crow, Director, The Last Clinic; Diane Derzis, Clinic Owner, Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Design Charette: Saturday, September 27, 2-5pm

Calling all interested Designers, Artists, Thinkers, Makers and Builders! ArchiteXX calls you to collaborate with us in a practice of active citizenship through design as we integrate the ongoing dialogue into potential design solutions for implementation at the Mississippi clinic. During this concentrated session, we will draw from ideas contributed via postcard and generate schemes to further develop into the eventual intervention to be realized in summer 2015. Please bring your design tools of choice.