Behind the Façade: Designing with Country
Lecture & Book Launch
19 March 2022
2–3pm
Join architect Kevin O’Brien for this lecture Behind the Façade: Designing with Country drawn from his new book, Our Voices II: The DE-colonial Project co-edited with Rebecca Kiddle and Luugigyoo Patrick Stewart.
This publication documents decolonising projects which work to de-stable and disquiet colonial built environments. The land, towns, and cities on which we live have always been Indigenous places yet, for the most part our Indigenous value sets and identities have been disregarded or appropriated. Indigenous people continue to be gentrified out of the places to which they belong and neo-liberal systems work to continuously subjugate Indigenous involvement in decision-making processes in subtle, but potent ways. A chance for audience Q&A will follow this 40 minute presentation.
After the talk, the publication will be launched by Troy Casey (co-founder, Blaklash Creative) and available for purchase via the IMA Gallery Shop.
Accessibility information:
We are committed to making the IMA accessible to people of all abilities, their families, and carers as well as visitors of different ages and different backgrounds. There is wheelchair access and an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities also located on the ground floor and we welcome guide and support dogs. To find out more contact us at ima@ima.org.au or call 07 3252 5750. Read our access information for visitors here.
COVID safety advice:
By purchasing tickets, you and your guests agree to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with Government mandated vaccination requirements. For entry we recommend downloading the Check In Qld app prior to your arrival and linking your proof of vaccination. For contact tracing purposes, we are using the Check In Qld app. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell, please stay home.
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Kevin O’Brien is an architect, and Adjunct Professor at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, the University of Sydney. O’Brien directed the Finding Country exhibition, an independent and official collateral event of the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale. This project was initiated in 2005 and explored the tension between concepts of Country and the colonial city against an imagined 50% reduction in population. The after-effects continue to this day as a guide for practice, teaching and thinking about architecture and its conflicted relationship with place-making in the Australian context. O’Brien has recently co-edited and contributed to Our Voices – Indigeneity and Architecture, the first publication of its kind to explore first nation perspectives about architecture from Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Casino Aboriginal Medical Service by Kevin O'Brien Architects. Photo: Toby Scott.
