Parallel to the exhibition The Architecture of Staged Realities, the second event in this series will delve deeper into storytelling, identity and multivocality (multiple voices). With contributions by visual artist Rachel Stella Jenkins, University of Toronto professor Nicholas Sammond, and architecture historian Lara Schrijver. The evening will be moderated by Hasna El Maroudi.

The stories we tell and share with each other influence how we see ourselves, our community and our environment. But who is represented by – or excluded from – these stories? And how do the stories that we share talk back to us?

Within the design discipline, conversations about multivocality – listening to many different voices – and social inclusivity are gaining momentum and resonance. Cultural productions and stories in particular are often gendered, racialised and Eurocentric, and are thus discriminatory by nature. In order to move forward as a community, the need for (historic) reconciliation asks for an examination of our reasoning, our assumptions, our biases, our language and our belief systems in order to understand our position and ultimately develop an attitude we can truly call inclusive. How desirable are staged narratives and white-washed versions of reality? In this era of individualism, when fact-free politics and boundary-blurring can sway citizens into accepting simple solutions to complex problems, an understanding of these cultural codes and an awareness of how to contribute in a meaningful way is paramount.

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As of 25 September 2021, Het Nieuwe Instituut follows the Museum Protocol, the rules of conduct for safe and responsible museum visits drawn up by the Museum Association on the basis of the RIVM guidelines. Under the new guidelines, we are required to check the corona pass of all visitors (aged 13 and above) attending all events (including Thursday Night Live! events). For an overview of all guidelines at Het Nieuwe Instituut, visit our website.