'Sign of the Cross: Image of Christ': lecture by Mark Cousins, 3rd December, 1999

Extent: 1 audio cassette (90min), 4 digital files (714.7 MB )

Comprises audio recording of a lecture entitled 'Sign of the Cross: Image of Christ', given by Mark Cousins on the 3rd December, 1999. The recordings consist of a Maxwell 90 audio cassette tape, 2 digital preservation files (583 MB, .wav format) and 2 digital access files (131.7 MB, .mp3 format). Duration of access version: 54min 34sec.

Copyright: Architectural Association

Creator: Mark Cousins

Admin History: The recording is of the 4th lecture in the series entitled 'Imago', given by Mark Cousins as part of the AA General Studies programme, 1999-2000. In this lecture, Mark Cousins introduces a discussion around the question of 'the image' and 'the sign', exploring representations of the Christian God by means of an example. He analyses notions of Christ's body and its relation to believers' identification with both Christ and God. He argues that the image always threatens the stability of formulation and always establishes a direct relation with the believer, which bypasses the established authority of the priesthood. He examines the sign of the cross and phrases such as 'in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Ghost', observing that at the centre of the discourse is a question of representational abstraction, and also a question of proximity and loss.

Custodial History: Audio cassette recording was made by the AA Audio Visual Department 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 Library 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 9, Autumn Term, 29th November - 3rd December, 1999