South South Dialogue for Sustainability
Architectural Culturalism: The Indonesian Story
Organizers:
CCRD-CS, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Global University for Sustainability
SPIRIT_45
Dates: Thursdays (8 January, 22 January, 5 February, 26 March, 9 April, 23 April, 30 April, 14 May, 28 May)
Time: Jakarta: 7.00-9.30 pm; Hong Kong: 8.00-10.30 pm
Description:
Architectural Culturalism views architecture as an integral part of the everyday culture system. In comparison to other ‘visibly tangible cultural products’ such as painting, sculpture, culinary, and fashion, architecture serves as one of the largest possible objects of exhibits. Hence, inevitably, architecture is becoming not only a part of, but also an essential driving force in any cultural movement. This dialogue is proposing to jump-start discussions on the theme of global architectural culturalism. Aiming to reread our own architecture history, through our own perspective and knowledge system, to create our own future trajectories.
However, architectural culturalism is not to be misunderstood as the glorification over certain pre- colonial past. Hence, its core idea should not be based on the representation of any single ethnicity. On the contrary, in the case of Vernacular Architecture, discourses should be built by contesting different heritages and/or traditions, to get a better understanding of the formation of shared culture in the wider geographical region. Another possible method is by retracing different regional and/or global connections to revisit the architectural evolution of certain indigenous heritage.
This discussion also does not operate exclusively on case studies in the Global South. Whereas post- colonialists rejected the idea of an oversimplified single orientalist perspective of the East, then the West too should not be viewed as a singular occidental entity. This view is hoped to open up discourses towards topics such as architectural hegemony that may have occurred in the supposedly heterogeneous Europe, as a result of the forced representation of the seemingly homogenous Classical Architecture image.
Convener: Eka Swadiansa, Office of Strategic Architecture (principal in charge), Global University for Sustainability (founding member); [email protected]