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WAYS OF KNOWING
Architecture and Colonization
Virtual Exhibition
Curated by:
Safin Hasan
Nekbakht Alibekova
Dong Hyun Kim
Tasmia Belal
Our Vision
Our group has decided to focus on how Architecture and physical space design serves as a tool of domination. How colonizers used architecture as a tool of colonization. Additionally, we cover how architecture and physical spaces built and designed by colonizers were used to dominate and rule people, and how the physical space designs still serve their purpose of segregating and dominating people in the post-colonial times. Aspects on the methodology on colonized people having internalized oppression systems and structures which are still put into place. We chose this topic as it related to many of us thinking back to our home countries and how both religious and ethnic buildings have overcome the rulings of several powerful figures from colonizing standpoints. We created the final project themed as a media festival so that our audience can visually indulge in the world of historical designs. Some choices we have consistently put an effort to make in putting this piece together is individuality and team work. Without voicing one another’s opinions during the process of
Image: Heat map of human traffic in an Ikea store
narrowing down our selection of topics to cover, our piece would have suffered from critical media content. This project means a lot to each of the members in our group as it showcases our interested fields of historical monuments and the connected stories about specific societies. Therefore, our views are visualized through the content that we have individually chosen to display.
Israeli Palestinian conflict
Using Architecture to Dominate
Safin Hasan
Israel is interested in the Palestinian land, and they plan to annex it using various strategies. One of which is architecture. In this post, I’ll explain some strategies used by them and showcase different medias as examples. Just like other posts of this blog, I will explain and show the power dynamics of occupiers and the host through architecture.
British India
Hybrid Architecture - Mayo College, India
Nekbakht Alibekova
Back in 1869, Col F K M Walter, the Political Agent of the Bharatpur Agency recommended that a school should be built in India. It would be “for a large number of pupils, with a staff thoroughly educated-not mere bookworms, but men fond of field sports and outdoor exercise….”
Israeli Palestinian conflict
Israeli settlements and occupation: Dominance and instilling fear with Architecture and Physical space design
Safin Hasan
For years, Israeli government have tried and succeeded in illegally occupying Palestinian territories by using various means. One way they were successful in doing that was by using architecture and manipulating and designing physical spaces in ways that would help them.
Nigeria
Churches and Christianity in Igboland
Nekbakht Alibekova
Christianity was initially introduced to Nigeria by the European colonizers in the 15th century. In the beginning, the Igbo people were hesitant to convert to Christianity. At the time, they were worshipping their traditional God (Chukwu or Chineke), Goddess (Ala) and other spirits.
China
Senado Square
Dong Hyun Kim
Macau is the leased territory in 1557. leased territory's definition is a bit different from colonization but since historically Macau doesn't have any other option other than corporate with Portugal, there is still a lot of ongoing debate whether Macau is colonized by Portugal or not.
Brazil
Sao Francisco Church - El Divino Salvador
Dong Hyun Kim
Brazil has a history of colonization by Portugal From the 16th to the early 19th century. Since the Portuguese will to invest in trading with Asia and Africa, Brazil was the best place to be a trading post instead of a place to send larger numbers of settlers.
Japan Korea
Japan's Colonial Legacy
Dong Hyun Kim
Japan colonized Korea from 1910 to 1945. To imprint Koreans that Korea is under Japan, Japan demolished the Central palace of Korea "Kyung Bok Gung" and build a Japanese capital hall. Not only that but also demolished symbolic places of Korea and built numerous Japanese building.
England
New England's Colonial Influence
Tasmia Belal
Once the British colonized the shores of the New World, they carried over the knowledge of architectural styles and building traditions. Pilgrims arrived in 1620, followed by a group of Puritans in 1630 who settled into what is now known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Since then, the colonized region has been named to New England.
China
The Great Wall of China
Tasmia Belal
The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls that works as a defense system and now, a tourist attraction for many people across the world. In total, there is more than 13,000 miles in length. Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the deserts of Northern China, it served to protect the Chinese empire against attacks from the barbarian nomads. Although the wall has not effectively prevented invaders to colonize China, it now functions as a powerful symbol of Chinese civilization’s long-lasting strength.
North America
Historical Spanish Colonial Homes
Tasmia Belal
The history of Spanish colonial architecture is commonly found in the southern USA society. Its popularity soared through during the early 19th century—between 1915 to 1931—when the Panama-California exposition was ongoing. However, way before this style was influenced in North America, it had historical backgrounds in both Mexico and Spain.
Europe
Islamic - European Impact
Tasmia Belal
A Middle East cultural writer and author named Diana Darke recently published a book based on the story of the Saracens, where Islamic designs have been robbed by corrupt colonizers. Diana’s book, ‘Stealing from the Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe’, was inspired by the lack of acknowledgement received as a response to Notre-Dame’s destructive event back in April 15, 2019.
Ireland
The Big House Era in Ireland
Nekbakht Alibekova
The Protestant settlers from Great Britain liked their big houses. These houses were very large in size and luxurious, but they were also used as a symbol of dominance or being 'bigger' than the Irish and their land when the English colonized Ireland in the late 16th century.
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