AA tutor David Kohn takes part in Dezeen panel discussion on culture in the built environment

The panel was moderated by CEO and curator of Therme Art Mikolaj Sekutowicz, and director of the British Council's visual arts programme Emma Dexter. The panel also included Sonia Boyce, curator of the British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021 and director of the Showroom art space Elvira Dyangani Ose.

The discussion covered ways that architects and artists can work together to enhance the experience of the built environment, from the very beginning of the design process. Kohn highlighted the radical potential of combining spaces of art practice and architectural design to create ‘The space in which one can formulate alternative futures and in a way I think that there is always this question of what is the space in which that discussion is happening.’

Kohn’s unit, Diploma 19 works closely with Gavin Wade, of Eastside Projects a gallery space in Digbeth, Birmingham, and Suzy Wilson of Clod Ensemble, both of whom took part in the panel. Kohn discussed the work of the unit, integrating performance art with the process of architectural design in workshops with Diploma students:

‘We did training workshops with Suzy around the body and how we move between each other, and by implication how we might better understand occupying public space. We invited the students to put on performances that would be available to the public to visit at Eastside. The work was all done around Sonia’s installation… and I think there was a wonderful moment of feeling that the work, the space, the conversation, all might contribute to some future imagining of the city. Somehow you cannot think in those ways without those presences and without that environment.’

Lastly, Kohn advocated for more closely integrating artists into architectural practice: ‘In the history of the 20th century of architects involving artists, it is a history of adding decoration at a late stage. This process is bound to lead to mis-steps that would lead one to want to tear things down. It has to be from the outset a kind of way of thinking. In contemporary art practice, it is not possible to place an object down without some consideration of context. Therefore those conversations have to start right at the beginning, they are to do with briefs, you need artists involvement throughout the project.’

Watch the whole panel discussion

Image: Sonia Boyce's installation 'In the Castle of My Skin', photograph by Stuart Whipps