Research/Life Update

I’m surprised at how much of my current work is breaking into fields I’ve never really imagined myself in before. As I read more and more in the available literature on graffiti, both academic and popular, I’m being pulled further into the realms of geography and architecture. I’ve always been interested in the concept of publics, but only recently have I been fascinated with the idea of public space. I’ve picked up a new book called Brave New Neighborhoods: The Privatization of Public Space by Margaret Kohn, a political scientist from the University of Florida. Seems good so far, I’ll post more on it as I dig into it.

            Most surprisingly has been some dabbling in the realm of architecture. I’m such a virgin in this field that I still have little that I can say intelligibly at the moment, but I’m amazed at the wealth of architectural literature out there that deals heavily with questions of public space from an artistic standpoint, not simply a technical or instrumental one. I’ll for sure post more here as I get more into this.

            Finally, on the research front, I’m continuing to read in the area of radical political theory. I’m continuing my reading of Chantal Mouffe’s work on agonistic democracy; I’m also starting in on Hardt and Negri’s Empire, Negri’s Politics of Subversion, Hardt and Negri’s Multitude, and a few works by Laclau. Basically this grouping is neo-marxist, radical democratic political theory.

            On the personal front, though, the adjustment to PhD work has been difficult. Surprisingly difficult, given how hard I pushed myself in my Masters program. If I were limited to reading only for class, things would be pretty easy. But, of course, the reading for class is only a fraction of what we are expected to read. Then there’s the writing. Just for my courses I have: a 20 page research proposal, a 1000 word book review (that we’re supposed to try and get published), a short philosophy paper, a 15 page annotated bibliography, and an in-class final exam. On top of all of that, I have two outstanding conference proposals out – if they are accepted, I also have to finish those papers. I’m also working on two more. So, yeah, things are starting to get pretty hairy; so if I’m not easy to get hold of these next few weeks (years really), this should hint as to why.