BOOK LAUNCH: Bourgeois Coldness: Henrike Kohpeiß in conversation with Lilly Markaki

Foregrounding affect, this timely book provides an inestimable philosophical argument for the centrality of Blackness in critical examinations of capitalism’s violence. Denise Ferreira da Silva Elegant and erudite in equal measure, this book will stand as a landmark diagnosis of the practices of denial in our time. Andreas Malm We are delighted to welcome an incredibly exciting scholar, Henrike Kohpeiß, to the shop to launch the new English translation of her book Bourgeois Coldness. ‘Bourgeois coldness’ refers to an affective strategy that offers an explanation for how self-preservation works. Bourgeois coldness is one of the most advanced affective and aesthetic forms of preserving the structure of the colonial status quo. It creates an affective shelter in the world, unencroached upon by the immediate consequences of its many catastrophes. It functions like air conditioning – a complex technology which reliably stabilises the climate until those inside consider it natural. Bourgeois spaces – institutional and affective – stay cool and pleasant. But outside it’s burning.Canonical critical theory by Adorno and Horkheimer enters a dialogue with Black studies through Hartman and Moten. Henrike will be in conversation with Dr Lilly Markaki from Royal Holloway, University of London. They’ll discuss the text and it’s key conceits for around 45 minutes-1hr, followed by an open discussion. We look forward to seeing you there! Our Speakers: Henrike Kohpeiß is a philosopher in Berlin, working on social and political philosophy, critical theory, affect studies, Black studies and feminist philosophy. She regularly publishes work in academic journals and criticism in magazines. She organises and hosts events in Berlin, such as the conversation series ‘Feelings at the end of the world’ at Volksbühne. Bourgeois Coldness is her first book, and was published in German in 2023 by Campus Verlag. Lilly Markaki is Lecturer in Race and Culture in Film and Media at Royal Holloway, University of London. Bridging critical theory, visual culture studies, media theory, and Black radical and anti-colonial thought, their work investigates the relationship between aesthetics and politics, exploring how insurgent practices—whether philosophical, poetic, or visual—can generate forms of solidarity that unsettle colonial-modern ontologies and anthropocentric logics. As always, tickets are priced on a sliding scale. If you are unable to pay for a ticket please choose the ‘unwaged’ option. If you choose ‘book + entry’, your copies of the book will be available to collect on the evening. If you would like to collect it earlier, or arrange for delivery, please contact us (postage is £2.95). Telephone 020 7837 4473 or email shop@housmans.com. Doors Open at 6:45pm, Event Starts 7:00