ABSTRACT
In this project we will formulate a feminist critique of Sylvia Lavin’s concept of “kissing architecture” (Lavin, 2011) for the purpose of developing a discussion on the politics of infrastructure and affect. We begin by noticing some of the potential risks in Lavin’s reading of the architectural kiss, such as the dichotomy between femininity/masculinity still haunting her definition, as well as the institutional character of many of the considered projects. As useful as the concept of kissing can be to describe transgressions between different worlds, it needs to be better situated in everyday life, outside museums and art galleries. Trying to expand on Lavin’s concept we argue that the political dimension of kissing can be explored in the repeated production of affect outside the traditional love affair and outside the traditional institutions for such love.
