The Idea of Communism

Badiou, Althusser and Lacan (Chicago, 4/12/11)

 April 23, 2011  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A teach-in by Platypus member Chris Cutrone on April 12, 2011 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Description Alain Badiou’s recent book (2010) is titled with the phrase promoted by his and Slavoj Žižek’s work for the last few years, “the communist hypothesis.” Žižek has spoken of “the Badiou event” as opening new horizons for both philosophy and communism. [Read More]
Communism  Alain Badiou 

The Idea of Communism

Badiou, Althusser and Lacan

 April 12, 2011  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A teach-in by Platypus member Chris Cutrone held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Description Alain Badiou’s recent book (2010) is titled with the phrase promoted by his and Slavoj Žižek’s work for the last few years, “the communist hypothesis.” Žižek has spoken of “the Badiou event” as opening new horizons for both philosophy and communism. [Read More]
Art Institute of Chicago  Jacques Lacan  Louis Althusser  The Contemporary Left  Alain Badiou 

Lukács' Marxism

 March 19, 2011  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A panel discussion organized by the Platypus Affiliated Society, held on March 19, 2011, at Left Forum, Pace University. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element A version of Jeremy Cohan’s remarks are transcripted in the Platypus Review #38 A transcript of Timothy Hall’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #37 Panelists Chris Cutrone - School of the Art Institute of Chicago Jeremy Cohan - New York University [Read More]
Left Forum  Left Forum 2011  György Lukács 

Lenin's Marxism

 March 19, 2011  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A panel discussion organized by the Platypus Affiliated Society, held on March 19, 2011 at Left Forum, Pace University. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element A transcript of Paul Le Blanc’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #35 A transcript of Chris Cutrone’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #36 A transcript of Lars Lih’s remarks appears in Platypus Review #37 Panelists Chris Cutrone - The School of the Art Institute of Chicago [Read More]
Left Forum  Left Forum 2011  Leninism  Marxism  Vladimir Lenin 

Debating Alain Badiou's 'Politics of Emancipation'

An Exchange on Communism and the Historical Moment

 March 19, 2011  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A panel discussion organized by the Platypus Affiliated Society, held on March 19, 2011, at Left Forum, Pace University. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Panelists Bruno Bosteels - Cornell University Chris Cutrone - School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nayi Duniya - Demarcations Journal Saul Thomas - University of Chicago, student Description Alain Badiou’s writings promoting what he calls the “communist hypothesis” have sparked growing interest and debate. [Read More]
Left Forum  Left Forum 2011  Alain Badiou  Communist hypothesis 

Adorno's Leninism

 April 21, 2010  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

A talk given by Platypus member Chris Cutrone at Loyola University, on April 21st, 2010. Cosponsored by Pi Sigma Tau, STAND, and SAF. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Transcript in Platypus Review #37 Description The German Marxist critical theorist Theodor W. Adorno (1903-69) is known, along with his friend and mentor Walter Benjamin, for the critique of mid-20th century art and culture. What is less well understood is the specific character of Adorno’s Marxism, how his political perspective related to his philosophical concerns. [Read More]
1920s  1930s  1940s  1960s  Vladimir Lenin  New Left  Old Left 

The Left and Prospects for Democracy in the Middle East: Iraq

 March 20, 2010  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

Platypus panel held at Left Forum 2010 in New York City, Pace University, March 20, 2010. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Panelists Laura Lee Schmidt (Chair)—Platypus Affiliated Society; History, Theory, and Criticism of Art and Architecture, MIT Issam Shukri—Worker-Communist Party of Iran (WPI) Ashley Smith—International Socialist Organization Christopher Cutrone—Platypus Affiliated Society; University of Chicago Description The 2003 U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq was, like the 1990-91 Gulf War, a turning point for the international Left, though few recognized this. [Read More]
Left Forum 2010  Democracy  Iraq  Iraq war  Leftism  Middle East  Worker-Communist Party of Iran 

The Green Movement and the Left

Prospects for Democracy in Iran

 March 20, 2010  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

Platypus panel held at Left Forum 2010 in New York City, Pace University, March 20, 2010. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Panelists Laura Lee Schmidt (Chair)—Platypus Affiliated Society; History, Theory, and Criticism of Art and Architecture, MIT Siyaves Azeri—Worker-Communist Party of Iran Hamid Dabashi—Columbia University Christopher Cutrone—Platypus Affiliated Society; University of Chicago Description Rather than asking what the Left thinks of Iran, this panel will pose the question, what does Iran reveal about the Left, its limitations and failures? [Read More]
Left Forum 2010  Green Movement  Iran  Leftism  Worker-Communist Party of Iran 

The American Left and the "Black Question:"

From Politics to Protest to the Post-political

 March 20, 2010  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

Platypus panel held at Left Forum 2010 in New York City, Pace University, March 20, 2010. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element Benjamin Blumberg’s comments are transcribed in Platypus Review #19 Panelists Tim Barker, Columbia University Benjamin Blumberg, Platypus Affiliated Society Pamela Nogales, Platypus Affiliated Society Chris Cutrone, Platypus Affiliated Society, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Chicago Description One catch-phrase that has flown in the wake of the successful election of Barack Obama is “post-racial,” raising the question of the degree to which America has overcome racism. [Read More]
Left Forum 2010  Barack Obama  Racism 

The Platypus Synthesis

History, Theory, and Practice

 June 14, 2009  |  The Platypus Affiliated Society

At the 1st annual international convention of the Platypus Affiliated Society, in Chicago, June 12-14, 2009, the concluding plenary event, a discussion on Platypus’s theoretical stance, its raison d’etre, and where the project will be going. Audience question-and-answer discussion follows. Held on June 14, 2009 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Audio Recording Your browser does not support the audio element A transcript can be found here [Read More]
Platypus International Convention  Platypus International Convention 2009  History  Platypus  Platypus Affiliated Society  Practice  Theory