We discussed things that initially came to mind: Amazon fulfillment systems, surveillance (cameras), Academy as an institution.
But then we decided on USC Village, an intersection of the three concepts.
Infrastructure manages flows; they shape and are shaped by ideologies.
USC village performs a provision for human needs, but it is on a superficial level that doesn't actually support student needs.
Constructed idea of feigned community conveyed through title, functions as "imagined community."
Architecturally compatible with the buildings at USC -- a continuation.
Constructing a particular idea of publics, which comes up in Mattern.
Micro: On day-to-day basis, functions as a micro-scale interaction
But it's an alienating sense, because you persistently feel the meso-scale of USC as an institution.
Meso: USC presence and construction very visible. The problematic presence of the statue of Hecuba, a "token" of feminism. Nikias built this space -- ironically, he goes down for the gynecologist scandal. In addition the Village is a heavily policed space on USC campus and the largest student housing site... considering this, what are its implications as an institutional infrastructure?
Macro: Underlying ideologies, the problematic statue, and the economics behind the construction.
The Village draws heavily from classical tradition, which is related to white supremacy. However, we believe this scale is difficult to understand within the scope of Edwards' article.
Is it a public space? Is it a part of campus? It is subject to some of the same regulations as campus (and constructed to look like a continuation of it), but is not, technically, a part of campus.
Almost a cybernetics filter you can put on it: presence of fences, gates, guards, etc. that are reminiscent of government surveillance on the macro level.
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