RMJM puts up £1m to make architects of graffiti artists

i guess the idea that 'negative' social energies can be redirected and inverted into perfecting the reigning negativity is nothing new (ie 'the apprentice' - both the tv series and the picaresque proletarian of yore - is always encouraged to turn class hatred back on his own class in order to ascend from it), but this marks a new level of assimilation even for graffiti.

however, maybe graffiti, like the remains of dalston or estates such as hackney's frampton park threatened by in-fill housing, is about to get one last reprieve. if construction companies are now heading for collapse (crisis - the moment when one sees the economic laws of gravity materialised in the form of ruins), can architects be far behind? and further, wont those who used to design walls be tempted to start scrawling on them? either way, it's hardly a promising career trajectory to promote to the 'socially excluded' - from the streets to the gutter...

self-respecting graffers should shun the blandishments of the soon-to-be-skint, but, in the spirit of gratitude for all those apartments architects have generously been providing as canvases for their artistic ornamentation, now offer some support of their own. urban yoof, give props to the prop-makers of the last decade's potemkin urban renaissance - the autocad dreamers of (commercial) paper cities! eg 'thanks to my homies at levitt bernstein for the walls, and to zaha hadid, for what might have been...' etc etc

meanwhile, ex-architects can be usefully reemployed in in-filled estates to stencil warnings to urban kids tempted by the promise of a fictitious-capital-backed rise out of the ghetto, 'beware, architecture gang culture leads from hyper exploitation in the pay of hoods to a life of public service'.

B

RMJM puts up £1m to make architects of graffiti artists

16 July, 2008

By Rory Olcayto

RMJM has launched a £1 million project to encourage inner-city youths with a passion for graffiti to become architects.

The Architecture for Everyone scheme, a three year programme run in collaboration with the Stephen Lawrence Trust, aims to attract youngsters from ethnic minorities through university-backed architectural workshops held in “underground” inner-city venues such as nightclubs.

The project will culminate in the selection of six individuals to complete an introductory course in architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design in Boston, where RMJM sponsors an architectural course.

“It is hoped that the workshops will show youths who pride themselves on their street art how they can have a wider impact on their urban space by redirecting their artistic leanings to architecture,” RMJM chief executive Peter Morrison said.

Londoner Gerson Oppelt, who seriously considered becoming an architect before training as a chef, backed the scheme as a means of attracting people put off by the financial burden of architectural studies.

“I saw food as art, and that is why I became a chef when it was impossible for me to become an architect,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say that the five years I did technical drawing at school were wasted, but I could have taken it a lot further. I am glad others will have a better chance than I did.”

Society of Black Architects chairman, Chris Nasah, welcomed RMJM’s plans but said they failed to address the root of the problem, as statistics show that many ethnic minorities begin architectural training only to drop out later.

“Around 18% of entrants come from black or ethnic minority backgrounds but by the time they become architects, that figure has dropped to 2%,” he said.

“This scheme is a good idea and will create a buzz, but it won’t have a long-term effect. Marginalisation in the profession is a far bigger issue. The focus should be on giving black and minority ethnic firms opportunities to get commissions. Then they could mentor and provide training for young people who want to enter the profession.”