9 May – 13 July 2019
Common Knowledge and Learning Curves is the first Australian institutional solo exhibition by Keg de Souza.
Informed by her architectural training and experiences of squatting and organising, Keg de Souza’s practice explores spatial politics and the built environment. She works across temporary architecture, video, drawing, mapping, performance and artist books to develop collaborative and participatory experiences that explore the politics of space. De Souza often creates site- and situation-specific projects, emphasising reciprocity and knowledge exchange.
Common Knowledge and Learning Curves expands on de Souza’s interest in the ways we teach and learn. The exhibition seeks to break down hierarchies in knowledge exchange, using architectural and educational theories.
Familiar classroom tropes such as chalkboards, uniforms, and venetian blinds transform the gallery into a school about schools. Drawing on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s colour theory adopted by educator Rudolf Steiner in his classroom design, de Souza explores how space and colour can transform the way we teach and learn. Enlarged building blocks suggest designs by the founder of kindergarten Friedrich Fröbel, and a library wraps around the gallery walls with books that prioritise marginalised voices within education.
The structures include places for reflection and intimate conversation as well as areas for open discussion and play. One includes a spinning ‘wheel-of-fortune’ chalkboard with questions relating to knowledge exchange, such as: How does space transform the way we teach and learn? How do we unlearn?
This temporary architecture creates a playful, mutable setting to host a series of dialogical events throughout the the exhibition. These spaces are also open for use by educators, collectives or students to occupy for conversation, classes or self-directed reading groups.
Curator: Bec Dean
Keg de Souza's Common Knowledge and Learning Curves was curated and developed by Artspace Sydney and is presented in partnership with Griffith University Art Museum.
Downloadable exhibition labels
installation images
