Burt Pinnock’s Veils of Ignorance: A Collection of Works 2004-2018 is on display this month at the Storefront for Community Design downtown at 205 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA.
On the one hand: Philosopher John Rawls purports that to develop a truly equitable social contract, we must imagine ourselves behind a veil of ignorance. We know nothing of ourselves, our natural abilities or position in society or sex or race or nationality. We only know that people are simply rational, free and moral. Now create a society.
On the other hand: In 1922, the monument of Booker T. Washington Lifting the Veil was dedicated in Tuskegee, Alabama, with an inscription that reads, “He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry.”
These projects from architect Burt Pinnock evoke the sentiment of the dropped veil while simultaneously exploring the possibilities that arise when that veil is ultimately lifted. Collectively, they strive, as Booker T. Washington did, to educate and reveal truths about our history and who we are in an effort to get us to John Rawls’ vision of designing a more equitable society.
On the one hand…
But on the other.
Burt Pinnock, b. 1964, Tuskegee, Alabama
Burt Pinnock is an architect in Richmond whose work evokes the sentiment of the dropped veil while simultaneously exploring the possibilities that arise when that veil is ultimately lifted. Collectively, they strive, as Booker T. Washington did, to educate and reveal truths about our history and who we are in an effort to get us to John Rawl’s vision of designing a more equitable society.
OPENING First Friday
November 2
from 6:30 to 8:30
205 E. Broad Street
Storefront for Community Design + MoB Studio