Untitled lecture by Mark Cousins, 7th June, 1996

Extent: 1 audio cassette (90min), 4 digital files (759 MB )

Comprises audio recording of an untitled lecture, given by Mark Cousins on the 7th June, 1996. The recordings consist of a Maxell audio cassette tape (90min), 2 digital preservation files (619 MB, .wav format) and 2 digital access files (140 MB, .mp3 format). Duration of access version: 58min 13 sec.

Copyright: Architectural Association

Creator: Mark Cousins

Admin History: The recording is of the 23rd lecture in the series entitled 'Damage', given by Mark Cousins as part of the AA General Studies programme, 1995-96. In this lecture, Mark Cousins discusses the relationship between the concept of 'damage' and the equivalence of punishment under law. He argues that while civil or private law has moved away from the literal punishment of the body and is instead replaced by monetary equivalence, the concept of public law remains true to its 17th century origins and context. The criminal act simultaneously violates the state as the representation of the law. Cousins therefore considers that the idea of 'damage' is no longer primarily a relation between citizens, but also constitutes an act of treason to the state. The state, as a representation of the law, thus gains a literal control and punishment at the level of one's body, in the name of equivalence.

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