A series curated and chaired by Nana Biamah-Ofosu, Bushra Mohamed, Merve Anil and Georges Massoud
Titled after Lola Olufemi’s “Experiments in Imagining Otherwise”, this lecture series learns from established practices that shift the focus from European contexts or knowledge systems and instead champions decolonial epistemologies and methodologies. We will navigate the space between what is and what could be, weaving through an exploration of identities and the possibility of living otherwise.
In this first event of the Imagining Otherwise series, Joris Lechêne will use a building as a case study to bring forward conversations on decoloniality in public space and architecture both globally and in the UK. He will also talk about how his use of the medium of social media enables him to highlight, discuss and explain these issues to the public – and are particularly valuable.
JORIS LECHÊNE is a trainer in Anti-racism, Bias, Privilege and decoloniality. Drawing on his experience of various marginalised identities at the intersections of race, neurodivergence, class and sexual orientation, Joris combines his practice of sociology with his background in architecture to create workshops, content and strategies tackling the topics of systemic inequalities, bias and decolonisation.
Joris is mostly active on Tiktok and Instagram, where he tries to show how our built environment reflects, and often reinforces the social dynamics, hierarchies and implicit messages of our society.
Image © Joris Lechêne
