Introduction

Public Faculty Is A Technique

that engages in radical listening through interventions in public spaces, in order to listen to people describe their daily conditions and struggles, as well as their feelings and dreams. In the context of imagining a new community space for 4201 4th Ave (the Interim Public Library), a two-day event was organized in order to rethink, redefine, and reenter the public space through collective action.

The intervention took place in strategically chosen spots in the neighborhood on February 18th and 19th (Saturday and Sunday), for 4 hours each day, and was open to members of the public who wanted to participate. The activity was available in 3 languages –English, Spanish and Chinese– in order to accommodate the different backgrounds in the neighborhood. This event was facilitated by students and faculty from the MS Design and Urban Ecologies program (DUE) at the Parsons School of Design in collaboration with Voces Ciudadanas and volunteers from the neighborhood.