Building on the award-winning Corridors of Power project, Frames of Power is a pioneering, non-partisan initiative for citizens to interactively model perceptions of political authority and approaches to constitutional power.
The production of Frames of Power was conceived of and led by Sanjana Hattotuwa, Founding Editor of Groundviews and former Senior Researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives. Fundamental input was provided by Dr. Asanga Welikala, Lecturer in Public Law at the School of Law, University of Edinburgh and Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law. Based on this input, globally renowned and critically acclaimed architect Channa Daswatte created the 3D models that can be manipulated on the platform.
Especially given the recent announcement of public input into the new constitution-making process, Frames of Power offers a unique platform to visualise, discuss, jointly explore and critically study approaches to political authority and democratic governance.
Launched in February 2020, the site now features two significant updates.
- The models gallery – http://framesofpower.org/gallery – now features a drop-down list to quickly search for and focus on any aspect of the questions asked in the construction of the models.
- Any model, e.g. http://framesofpower.org/view-model/47, can now be exported as a detailed PDF. This PDF is designed to help critical discussion around the models and what they represent, including at conferences, workshops and focus groups. Broader public debates, including over traditional media, can also be pegged to the models created by citizens, reflecting vital anxieties and aspirations.
As an interactive teaching tool, the platform and PDFs of models can be used in classrooms, including in schools and universities, to promote a wider appreciation of constitutionalism and democratic governance. We also hope the architects of the new constitution will use Frames of Power, providing entirely new ways of visualising, negotiating and realising constitutional reform.
Go to http://www.framesofpower.org for more details and create your model. Registration is free. The site will run on tablets and smartphones, though larger screens provide a better experience. There’s no limit on the number of models one can create.
The more models there are, the richer the capture of how Sri Lankans from across the country see and negotiate political authority.
Asanga Welikala, Channa Daswatte and Sanjana Hattotuwa
28 October 2020