Mabel O. Wilson: Race, Modernism and Architecture

Summary: Curious Story Lab, Episode 2. Mabel O. Wilson and I discuss her navigating numerous spaces from academia, curatorial, design and writing. 

“Curious Story Lab” is a podcast that explores visionaries’ of color working to reshape the future of our world. In this season, we explore the concept of “Futuring,” delving deep into the stories of creators whose work shifts the narrative around design in the present and offers a glimpse into the future of their field. 

In episode two host, Michele Washington interviews Mabel Wilson, currently the Nancy and George Rupp Professor of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, a Professor in African American and African Diasporic Studies, the Director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies and co-director of the Global Africa Lab at Columbia University.  Wilson talks about her immense body of research, which ranges from academia, writing, race, architecture, and curatorial projects. One of her most recent exhibitions was held at MoMA, “Reconstructions Architecture and Blackness in America.” Wilson also discusses her practice Studio &, being a founding member of Who Builds Your Architecture, plus several books that she’s penned. 

Check out this online free course: MoMA at Coursera: Reimaging Blackness and Architecture

Books

  • Begin with the Past: Building the National Museum of African American History and Culture, (2016)
  • Negro Building: Black Americans in the World of Fairs and Museums, (University of California Press 2012 ).
  • Race and Modern Architecture,co-editor, (University of Pittsburgh Press 2020).

You can find Mabel O. Wilson:
Follow her on Instagram: @Studio_and
Columbia University GSAPP

Find Curious Story Lab Online

Website: https://curiousstorylab.com/

Twitter: @curiousstorylab
Instagram: @curiousstorylab
Email me: curiousstory21@gmail.com

While you’re at check out this new Book, The Black Experience in Design, edited by Anne Berry, Kareem Collie, Penina Acayo Laker, Leslie Noel, Kareem Collie, Jennifer Rittner, and Kelly Walters. Published by Allsworth Press, the book can be found starting February 1, 2022 at Target, and is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon.

Credits:

Creator & Host: Michele Y. Washington

Producer: Alicia Ajayi @aliciaoajayi

Editor: Angelina Bruno

Sound Engineer + Music: Joanna Samuels

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Peace Out