Publics in Formation: Architecture Setting the Stage for Political Performance

Lorna Montani, History/Theory Stream

Simon Rabyniuk, Advisor

, Advisor

"Publics in Formation: Architecture Setting the Stage for Political Performance" confronts the interaction between architecture and politics. This thesis examines how architectural design shapes concepts of what, and who, exactly, are thought to constitute ‘the public,’ investigating the inclusive and exclusive aspects of this term. My research focuses on Ontario's Legislative Building, scrutinizing the evolution of its legislative chambers, and the impact of architectural configurations on political discourse. Drawing from scholars like Nancy Fraser and Shirin Rai, my research underscores how architectural alterations and media integration contribute to a network of diverse interconnected publics, challenging traditional notions of a unified public identity.