The Yeezus tour went on a 10-day hiatus when one of Kanye West's 60-inch monitors went down for the count and needed emergency repairs. It was surely felt like a lifetime for those involved in planning and those attending the shows, the crew mananged to make repairs relatively efficiently (you can read about the process here), and Kanye was back on the road. His last stop was in Boston, when he decided to make a trip to Harvard. Mr. West spoke to students about design and architecture–his two favorite subjects of the moment. Though Kanye has always been an outspoken fashion mogul, recently he's expanded his thought process to include various kinds of space and architectural theory.
In the modern world, there isn't as much importance placed on structural designers as there once was, in part because the scale of the project is far less overwhelming with vast improvements in technology–particularly computers for design. But the skills that paid the bills didn't disappear, they just shifted to new arenas, of which fashion is certainly one of them. Kanye's new outlook seems to come full-circle, as he attempts to connect the dots to creativity.
Kanye spoke with students about space, design and a utopian society he hopes to achieve, perhaps bouncing his ideas off America's top minds or perhaps to recruit a few like-minded geniuses to DONDA. Here's what he had to say.
But I just wanted to tell you guys: I really do believe that the world can be saved through design, and everything needs to actually be “architected.” And this is the reason why even some of the first DONDA employees were architects that started designing t-shirts instead of buildings. But just to see the work actually be actualized.
If I sit down and talk to Oprah for two hours, the conversation is about realization, self realization, and actually seeing your creativity happen in front of you. So the reason why I turn up so much in interviews is because I’ve tasted what it means to create and be able to impact, and affect in a positive way.
And I know that there’s more creativity to happen. And I know that there’s traditionalists that hold back the good thoughts and there’s people in offices that stop the creative people, and [who] are intimidated by actual good ideas.
I believe that utopia is actually possible — but we’re led by the least noble, the least dignified, the least tasteful, the dumbest, and the most political. So in no way am I a politician—I’m usually at my best politically incorrect and very direct. I really appreciate you guys’ willingness to learn and hone your craft, and not be lazy about creation.
I’m very inspired to be in this space. Tonight, this show, if you come see it — um, I’m a bit self conscious because I’m showing it to architects. So the stage does have flaws in it. It’s an expression of emotion so give me a pass on that. And that’s basically all I have to say so thank you very much.
He also dropped off free tickets for students and professors to come check out the show.
Disappointed you weren't there? Don't get too down. This might just be the beginning of Kanye's college tour, according to an Instagram shortly after his speech by Virgil Abloh, the creative director for DONDA, with the caption, "Just gave a talk at Harvard GSD with Kanye. Super surreal. #DONDA design lecture series #yeezustour"
