Hosted in partnership with the MCA, the Symposium explored how design can draw on diverse perspectives to create more equitable and inclusive communities and futures through the following themes: Dignity, Pedagogy, Equity, and Place.

On March 4th, 2023, participants were invited to experience thought-provoking presentations and conversations both IRL and virtually from intersecting voices across disciplines and generations, with a special reverence for the city of Chicago, which held this experience for us.

The day began with introductory remarks by Madeleine Grynsztejn, Pritzker Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and two of Deem’s three co-founders, Alice Grandoit-Šutka and Nu Goteh.

Architect and artist Amanda Williams, whose practice employs color theory to probe anti-Black racism, began the day with an exploration of the notion of design as a social practice.

Amanda’s presentation was followed with a panel discussion on equitable community design in Chicago, moderated by Otez Gary alongside Paola Aguirre Serrano, Maya Bird-Murphy, and Tonika Lewis Johnson. 

Focusing on pedagogy, designer and educator Ramon Tejada spoke from his hybrid design/teaching practice which centers collaboration, inclusion, unearthing, and the responsible expansion of design, a practice he has named “puncturing.” 

Annika Hansteen-Izora who explores ways we can create kinder, more fluid generative online worlds in Deem’s Issue Four, explored dignity in their presentation. 

The symposium closed with a conversation on place between Germane Barnes, who shared insights from his research and design practice connecting architecture and identity, and Toni L. Griffin, Professor in Practice of Urban Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. 

In addition to the March 4th conference, Deem organized a three-day Reference Room to serve as a public gathering space for people to experience some of the reading materials that have inspired our four issues. These books, articles, and essays represented a combination of our research, specific mentions from our pages, and recommendations from contributors. It has been our hope not only to provide context and access to educational tools around Deem’s processes and beliefs, but also to create a haven for reflection and repose.

You may find a digital catalog of the titles displayed here.

Many thanks once again to everyone who joined us for the Symposium.

Deem Symposium was supported by Chicago Architecture Biennial, Driehaus Museum, Institute of Design, Rebuild Foundation, Cream Wine, Norman Teague Design Studios, Gertie, and Moor’s Brewing Company.