Beyond the Façade of Fascism: On heritage, care, and repair at IASPIS/Konstnärsnämnden, Stockholm

Drawing from their ongoing projects, 2cm: the Thickness of Fascism (Silvia Susanna) and Anti-Atlas of Fascist-Colonial Architecture (Husam Abusalem), together, they delve into the impact of this architectural legacy from broad urban perspectives to the intricate details of construction materials, weaving together floor plans with profanations and wall sections with colonial narratives. The conversation begin by addressing what fascist colonial architecture represents, then continue to analyse how the authorised heritage discourse normalised the preservation and presence of this peculiar architectural legacy despite its heavy history. It will delve into how modern architectural tools justify this approach through the claim of neutral scientific instruments and then go on to explain the historical, spatial, and social context of this architectural legacy and visit neglected micro-histories that have been replaced by this fascist colonial architecture. The conversation will conclude by drawing parallels between fascist-colonial architecture in Sicily and settler colonialism in Palestine. Introduction by Magnus Ericson.