Private Containers in Public Spaces
Exhibition
Architecture can be conceived as a collection of containers for bodies. This exhibit and associated events interrogate the standardized "containers" of the body that exist in public spaces and reveal the ways that an individualized body might come into conflict with them.
Lockers, toilet stalls, and other familiar containers are repurposed to bridge embodied differences by sharing experience, commiseration, and critical perspectives. Storytelling is foregrounded to give voice to personal experience, expose the ways individual bodies engage depersonalized and standardized spaces.
“Private Containers in Public Spaces” seeks to juxtapose the hyper-standardization of the built environment with the hyper-specific stories of its users as a tool for building empathy between users with unique embodied experiences.
Exhibit details
Exhibit Opening and Reception: Monday, October 30 at 5:15 – 7:00 p.m.
Exhibit Dates: October 30–November 21, Monday through Friday
Times: 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
Address: 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14014
Location: Hayes Hall Atrium Gallery, School of Architecture and Planning
Related event: A Conversation on Gender Diversity and Space
Produced by the IncLOOsion Project
Restrooms and changing rooms are some of the most gendered public spaces encountered in everyday life. As “containers” of bodies, they reflect norms about gender that are rooted in historical and cultural beliefs that are being challenged by transgender and gender diverse individuals and their allies. But there is also plenty of evidence for changing design practices related to other issues like the changing role of women in society, multi-cultural differences, and social participation by people with severe disabilities.
This exhibition is a prototype intended for public education about gender and space. The intent is to encourage dialogue and reflection about how these spaces can be more responsive to our varied experiences. The components of the exhibit can be used together or individually as part of educational and advocacy activities. They serve as props and a stage for events that can be programmed to encourage engagement and discussion.
The exhibit is one project conducted by the incLOOsion Project: Randy Fernando, Andrew Gunther, Maya Kirch, Edward Steinfeld, Beth Tauke, and Adam Thibodeaux.
The exhibit will be accompanied by a symposium, A Conversation on Gender Diversity and Space featuring Seb Choe, Ivan Coyote, and Susan Stryker in conversation with the incLOOsion Project, occurring on November 15, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
For more information please visit the symposium wepage which includes a registration link to zoom
University at Buffalo Sponsors
School of Architecture and Planning
The School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo is committed to fostering inclusion, equity, and justice within our school, and within the fields of architecture, urban planning and real estate development.
Office of Inclusive Excellence (VPIX)
The mission of the VPIX is to promote excellence in all aspects of UB’s operations by facilitating processes that remove barriers to access and advancement on the basis of race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or veteran status for students, faculty and staff.
Gender Institute
The Gender Institute promotes research and teaching related to women, gender, and sexuality. Dedicated to advancing women's and LGBTQ leadership, vision, and influence, supports scholarship on the connections between gender and other social forces, such as sexuality, race, class, health, age, religion, and place.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Alliance (LGBTA)
LGBTA establishes a safe space on campus to facilitate understanding among all students and provides an organization sympathetic to concerns regarding the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA)
The IDEA Center is a globally recognized center of excellence for research, education, and design innovation, committed to creating and implementing inclusive design policies, practices, environments, and products.
LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association
The mission of the University at Buffalo LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association is to contribute to and support a welcoming and inclusive university community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer faculty and staff through education, networking and advocacy.
Community Sponsors
Evergreen Health, Buffalo NY
Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.
Pride Center of Western New York
Pride Center of Western New York, Inc. (PCWNY) works with the community to make Western New York a safe, healthy, and satisfying place for LGBTQ people to live, work and establish their families.
Published October 30, 2023