WHAT: A Rust Belt Requiem?
WHEN: March 5, 6-8pm
HOW MUCH: FREE (rustbeltrequiem@gmail.com to register)
WHERE: Cambell Conference Room, The Munk Centre, 1 Devonshire Place
Spacing is sponsoring an upcoming panel discussion at U of T that promises to expose the history and current state of the factory town — both as reality, and as cultural idea. Space is very limited, so if you plan to attend, email rustbeltrequiem@gmail.com to register and arrive early to not be disappointed.
A Rust Belt Requiem? proposes an exciting and integrative discussion on the factory town — past, present and future. Consisting of a panel of four distinguished speakers, and supported by an array of video and photographical work, the symposium will offer a melding of theoretical and practice-based reflections on various issues surrounding the deindustrialization of these communities.Moderator Robert Lewis, one of Canada’s leading historical geographers of industrialization, will lead a conversation between Brett Story, a documentary filmmaker currently working on a project about occupational cancer in Sarnia, Ont.; Steven High, Professor of History at Concordia and the author of Industrial Sunset; Charles Waldheim, a leading theorist of landscape architecture and Associate Dean at the Daniels school of Architecture, Landscape and Design; and John Fetterman, the dynamic Mayor of an eroding steel town near Pittsburgh.
An extensive Q & A period will follow the presentations. Audience participation is actively encouraged. An intermingling of various disciplines and practices — both within the academy and beyond — will provide the context to interrogate a diversity of issues. The reception at Massey College will give audience members a chance to meet the panellists and continue conversations in an informal setting.