TERRA: Memory + Soil

For their major solo commission at West Space, interdisciplinary practitioners Joel Spring and Victoria Pham project vast and divergent insights into notions of the built environment, history and legacies of colonialism.

West Space is thrilled to present TERRA: Memory + Soil, a landmark exhibition by Joel Spring and Victoria Pham. With their critical interdisciplinary positions – evolutionary biology, architecture, contemporary art, and composition – Spring and Pham present a site specific, immersive installation that extends beyond the gallery space, delving deep beneath and into the history of Collingwood Yards, to re-remember and reimagine the past landscapes.

When we consider gardening, we tend to create a relationship with the natural world through control. Instead of revealing the Earth beneath our feet, we often seek to conceal it, relegating soil to a tool from which our ideal forms grow. This work combines digital art and research into local indigenous knowledge. Instead of a geometrically symmetrical space bordered by hedges and freshly mown grass, Spring and Pham offer a space to listen and experience history through soil, and reconsider what it means to garden.

TERRA has been co-commissioned with Liquid Architecture and Centre for Projection Art. As part of the project, Liquid Architecture presents a special guest curated performance program featuring Hamish Upton, Manisha Anjali & Genvieve Fry, Daniel Pini with more to be announced, in the October edition of their monthly ‘Mono Poly series’. And, in response to the exhibition and its undercurrent themes, a forthcoming collection on Liquid Architecture’s publishing platform ‘Disclaimer’, edited by Liang Luscombe will feature commissioned texts from Joel and Victoria alongside accompanying responses.

CREDITS

Projection and Videos: Victoria Pham

Soundscape Composition and Design: Victoria Pham

Plant and bio-design: Victoria Pham

Sculptural Planter Design: Joel Spring

Curator: Sebastian Henry-Jones

PARTNERS

TERRA: Memory + Soil is co-commissioned by West Space, Liquid Architecture and Centre for Projection Art

SUPPORTERS

The artists give thanks to Yandell Walton, and the Centre for Projection Art residency mentors for their contributions. TERRA is supported by Arts Council England ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ via Victoria Pham, Yarra City Arts through their Biennial Arts Grants, and the Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-Operative. Warm thanks to Collingwood Yards

Key Dates: Exhibition dates: Saturday, September 3 to Sunday, October 16, 2022

Opening: Saturday, September 3, 3-5pm

Location: West Space, Collingwood Yards.

102/30 Perry Street

Collingwood, VIC, 3066