'Foucault': lecture by Mark Cousins, 9th December, 1987

Extent: 1 audio cassette (90min), 4 digital files (700.8 MB)

Comprises audio recording of a lecture entitled 'Foucault', given by Mark Cousins on the 9th December, 1987. The lecture took place from 10am in the AA Graduate School Lower Seminar Room, Bedford Square. The recordings consist of a 90minute Sony HF audio cassette tape, 2 digital preservation files (571.4 MB, .wav format) and 2 digital access files (129.4 MB, .mp3 format). Duration of access version: 55min 37sec.

Copyright: Architectural Association

Creator: Mark Cousins

Admin History: The lecture was part of the AA Graduate School /History and Theory Programme series, 'Historiography'. In this lecture Mark Cousins clarifies confusion around common receptions of Foucault's work. Cousins claims firstly that Foucault was not a social theorist as he was not attempting to provide a general concept of society or the means of knowing it. Secondly, Foucault was not a historian in the usual practice of historical investigations. Thirdly, although Foucault argued philosophically, he avoided general philosophical questions of ontology and epistemology. Cousins therefore states the he believes the importance of Foucault's work lies within his ability to construct the intelligibility of knowledge, and his reinvention of the art of description.

Custodial History: Audio cassette recording was made by the AA Audio Visual Departement and retained by the AA Photo Library until 2019, when it was transferred to the AA Archives.

Aquisition: Audio cassette was transferred from the AA Photo Libary to the AA Archives in 2019. Digital preservation and access copies were created by the AA Archives in 2021.

Archive Note: Catalogue description by Ke Bo Tsai

Publication Note: AA Events List, Week 10, Autumn Term, 7-11th December, 1987