02.13.25 Roundtable Discussion | Versions, Visions and Folios: The Sixth Somewhat Annual Meeting

This event marks the sixth annual gathering of architects and educators exploring questions of architectural drawing and representation. Since Spring 2019, the group has engaged in discussions, symposiums, exhibitions, and archival explorations held annually in various locations. Past participants include Laura Allen, Bryan Cantley, Nat Chard, Peter Cook, Mark Dorrian, Riet Eeckhout, Adrian Hawker, Arnaud Hendrickx, Perry Kulper, CJ Lim, Shaun Murray, Owen Nichols, Mark Smout, Neil Spiller, Natalija Subotincic, Michael Webb, Mark West, and Michael Young.

Hosted at The Cooper Union on Thursday, February 13, this event leads up to the opening of a new exhibition at A83 Gallery on Friday, February 14. It also coincides with the closing of the AA Folios: 1986–1991 exhibition in the Third Floor Hallway Gallery and features a conversation with curator Chris Dierks on the legacy and influence of the AA Folios.

The program begins with an introduction by Michael Young and Riet Eeckhout, followed by Clara Syme and Arnaud Hendrickx discussing the curation and design of The Sixth Somewhat Annual Meeting, an exhibition of the Group’s work at A83 Gallery. The event will also feature the launch of Records of The Sixth Somewhat Annual Meeting, a limited-edition folio of 16 unique plates by the exhibition participants, printed by A83 (Owen Nichols, Clara Syme, and Gus Crain, all Cooper faculty). The folio is the first in A83’s publication series, which directly references the AA Folio series initiated by Alvin Boyarsky during his tenure at the Architectural Association (1971–1990). Mark Dorrian and Ashley Simone will then discuss the upcoming Architectural Design issue, Drawing Versions and Visions, scheduled for Fall 2025. Chris Dierks and Owen Nichols will reflect on past and future Folio Box Sets alongside the AA Folios exhibition. The event concludes with a roundtable discussion moderated by Michael Young.

The roundtable will bring together architects, educators, and curators to explore the role of drawing in architectural practice. Participants include Laura Allen, Nat Chard, Riet Eeckhout, Chris Dierks, Mark Dorrian, Adrian Hawker, Arnaud Hendrickx, CJ Lim, Shaun Murray, Owen Nichols, Ashley Simone, Mark Smout, Natalija Subotincic, Clara Syme, Mark West, and Michael Young.