Domestic Provocations: Creativity, as a Provocateur for Care and Vice Versa

Challenging boundaries & cultivating creativity through intertwined threads of care, hospitality, and the transformative potential of home !!!

The exposition ‘Domestic Provocations’ aimed to explore the intersection of creativity and domesticity, highlighting the potential of domestic spaces as aesthetic sites for sharing creativity and fostering care. The curators opened their doors, turning a private space into a public one while seamlessly integrating the natural character of the hosts’ habitat with the theme of ‘Creativity, as a Provocateur of Care and Vice Versa’.

In a world often polarized and constrained by institutionalization, attending the exhibition was a refreshing and unique experience. It sought to challenge prevailing societal structures around creativity by emphasizing the role of care. The 14 exhibited responses were thought-provoking and inspiring, demonstrating how creativity can nurture relationships and deconstruct traditional notions of domestic labor and creative practices.

Transdisciplinary practitioners from various parts of the world approached the concept of domesticity in their own unique ways, bringing diversity and eclectic nuances to the exhibition. The creative gestures shared by the exhibits showcased the transformative power of domestic spaces and the limitless potential they hold for fostering creativity and transcending disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Domestic spaces, much like the exhibition itself, are complex and unpredictable, influenced by physical constraints and socio-cultural power structures that often reflect gender and class roles. This inherent nature of domestic spaces makes them compelling environments for feminist discourse, particularly regarding creative labor and domestic affections. The exhibition aptly embodied the parallels between domesticity and creativity, weaving together themes of care, equality, and hospitality.

The arrangement of the exhibited works within the domestic space created a playground for different perspectives to converge around the theme. Visitors were guided through a journey, from a lengthy driveway to a smaller entrance, a spacious lounge, a kitchen, two rooms, and finally the backyard. The works interacted with the existing household items and the unique environment, creating a dynamic interplay and stimulating intimate conversations around the pieces. Engaging with personal belongings as part of the exhibition provided a glimpse into the hosts’ personal lives and emphasized the close connection between curation and hospitality.

The exposition successfully challenged the notion that domestic and creative spaces are separate entities. It exemplified a foundation for establishing a code of ethics for creatives rooted in care and hospitality. By expressing the best of what domesticity represents in individuals’ creative practices, the exhibition highlighted the potential for a more integrated and holistic approach to both domestic and creative endeavors.