The Lost Tablets are a series of works by Jan van Schaik that explore the geometric language of architecture through the medium of children’s building blocks. Constructed by van Schaik from found blocks (many bearing the teeth marks of their former owners), each tablet flickers with strange resonances that point to a shared but deeply subjective symbolism of building.

The Lost Tablets book continues this exploration of the tension between the ideal of a shared architectural language, and the intrinsically personal nature of architectural interpretation. Within the book, 50 authors respond to the first 50 works in the Lost Tablets series, with each author articulating their perception of one work, in their own language, and in a form corresponding to their own interests.

Celebrating the release of the Lost Tablets limited edition box set, a selection of authors will give a public reading of their contribution to the book, hosted at Composite, Collingwood Yards by Uro Publications.

Speakers
Jan van Schaik, architect, educator, designer and author of Lost Tablets.
Nikos Papastergiadis, Professor in Media and Communications, and Director of the Research Unit of Public Cultures at the University of Melbourne.
Su san Cohn, artist, jeweller, designer, curator and writer.
Shona Stark, artist, lecturer and multi-disciplinary designer.
Ray Edgar, freelance writer and editor.
Rory Hyde, Associate Professor in Architecture, Curatorial Design and Practice at the University of Melbourne.