'The Document': lecture by Mark Cousins, 25th October, 2002

Extent: 1 audio cassette, 4 digital files (743 MB )

Comprises audio recording of a lecture entitled 'The Document', given by Mark Cousins on the 25th October, 2002. The recordings consist of a 90minute audio cassette tape, 2 digital preservation files (606 MB, .wav format) and 2 digital access files (137 MB .mp3 format). Duration of access version: 58min 45sec.

Copyright: Architectural Association

Creator: Mark Cousins

Admin History: The recording is of the 2nd lecture in the series entitled 'The Past', given by Mark Cousins as part of the AA General Studies programme, 2002-2003. In this lecture Mark Cousin explores the concept of event, evidence and confession; comparing these definitions in the practice of law and from historians' view. Through the discourse of 'evidence', he arrives at the term 'document', which he elaborate on throughout the lecture. Cousins discusses some of Foucault's arguments around the concept of primary and secondary sources, stating that there is an excess of fantasy attached to the notion of primary evidence. Finally, Cousins discusses Nietzsche's denunciation of the past's domestication through documentation, and outlines Nietzsche's concept of 'reality'.

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 Samaneh Karimelahi

Publication Note: AA Events List, Week 4, Autumn Term, 21st - 27th October, 2002