Whether captured by citizen videos, orbiting satellites or international monitoring agencies, human rights violations and war crimes are increasingly documented in visual and spatial registers. Consequently, spatial representations – drawings, diagrams, physical and digital models, geo0spatial data, and remote sensing technology – are emerging as evidence in a variety of contexts. Todays’ venues – be they diplomatic assemblies, fact-finding missions, or human rights reports, are beginning to incorporate spatial analysis and representation as integral to both evidentiary and advocacy work. This talk will present a series of case-studies done as part of the Forensic Architecture project that explore the emerging role of artist and designer as a mediator and translator of spatial information, hovering between activist and witness in contemporary legal, political and social forums.

Bradley Samuels is a founding partner at SITU Research, an interdis- ciplinary practice working in design, visualization and spatial analy- sis. Focused on developing innovative strategies and new tools, Situ Research leverages a strong foundation in architecture, materials and digital instrumentation to collaborate with and contribute to a diverse array of fields. A core value of Situ Research is the applied nature of its work – the studio seeks to address challenges grounded in urgent contemporary spatial issues – be they social, scientific or artistic. Samuels holds a B.A. from Vassar College in Art History and a B.Arch from the Cooper Union School of Architecture.

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