somasree chandra

We stand at the end of an era dominated by colonialism, world wars, revolutions, and conflicts over race, religion, and property—all of which have resulted in great suffering. We have seen massive plays and displays of power, and that is where my obsession stews. To assume power, you have to accessorize, whether it is with a chair, a haircut, a suit, a flag, a slogan, a seal, a chart, or all of these. Power can be designed, just like anything else. Architects and designers are not victims of this hierarchy, and we have access to it at every point. Do we acquire it, understand it, frustrate it, or redirect it? Or do we ignore the strings we can pull? We currently exist in a central system in which we materialize our clients' needs with polished "money shot" renderings devoid of any signs of habitation. Is this yet another example of colonialism, where a select few hold power? If so, should we continue to consciously engage with this system? Our struggle is to find an alternative to this world, where only a few hold the capacity to make change.