London's Royal Institute of British Architects presents the Raise the Roof: Building for Change exhibition which examines colonial history through various artworks. The art aims to capture the colonial representation of two of the building's interior features including the Jarvis Mural and the Florence Hall Dominion Screen. This was all curated by Margaret Cubbage to encourage those to reflect on the past and form an idea for the future with a decolonized lens.
The show ends with a short film by artist Eshun dubbed the Vanishment with archival visuals and new footage of the stories. Cubbage explains that Eshun is the only artist without an architectural background and that she offers a "response from outside of the profession. The intention of these exhibitions is that they're accessible to broader audiences. I wanted to open it up, even around the themes of colonialism. To talk about architecture doesn't mean it has to be a model or a drawing; this show is also about opening up the conversation and the canon by bringing in new voices."
Image Credit: Agnese Sanvito
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Decolonized Art Interpretation
- This exhibition emphasizes using art to reinterpret and challenge traditional colonial narratives.
- Inclusive Artistic Voices
- By incorporating non-architectural artists like Eshun, the exhibition broadens the scope of who gets to contribute to conversations about architectural history.
- Archival Visuals in Exhibitions
- Integrating archival visuals with contemporary footage offers a dynamic way to present historical narratives.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Art Exhibitions and Museums
- Museums can innovate by incorporating diverse voices and perspectives in their exhibitions, fostering a more inclusive narrative.
- Film and Multimedia Arts
- Combining archival footage with new media opens up creative avenues for storytelling and historical documentation.
- Architectural Design and History
- Exhibitions that critique colonial influences in architecture can inspire newer, more inclusive design philosophies.
