Execution and Administration

To bring the exhibition to life, Dou and Lam have implemented a hands-on learning approach. They assume multiple roles, including designers, curators, program managers, and photographers. Their coordination with the administration is key to securing the Art Building Courtyard at the University of Washington as the exhibition venue. Navigating the complexities of university and state policies, they actively liaise with both the School of Art + Art History + Design and the university’s special programs to obtain permission for space usage. Additionally, they pursue a permit to offer snacks and refreshments to visitors.

Fig 5. Rosaline Dou and Megan Lam. Open call poster. 2023

Following these logistical arrangements, Dou and Lam commence the exhibition planning. Under the theme “Growing out of the Establishment,” they create posters for both call for submissions (Fig 5) and exhibition promotion (Fig 6). These posters are disseminated via school-wide newsletters, displayed on poster boards, and promoted through faculty members and classes. A distinctive feature of the poster is an image of a waterfall emerging from a metal bridge structure, symbolizing the core theme of urban nature and metaphorically representing growth out of established norms, both physically and conceptually. The demand for event planning skills in this context has proven to be greater than initially anticipated. For example, numerous factors require meticulous consideration: weather conditions, accommodating various dietary restrictions, and the detailed coordination of equipment and installation processes. Each of these elements necessitates a high level of attention to detail, illustrating the multifaceted nature of organizing such an event.

Fig 6. Rosaline Dou and Megan Lam. Exhibition poster. 2023

In reviewing the submissions, Dou and Lam notice a recurring theme: many artists use nature as a medium and view it as essential to their artwork creation or completion. This insight guides their selection process, focusing on artworks that align with the exhibition premise and incorporate nature as a fundamental element.

In their curatorial strategy, Dou and Lam make a deliberate choice to eschew traditional textual labels for artwork explanations typically found in gallery settings. Instead, they introduce an inventive concept: a roadmap provided to visitors upon entering the courtyard. This roadmap is not just a navigational tool but also a means to foster group engagement. Different colors of the map are designed to pair up visitors, encouraging them to experience the exhibition collaboratively. This approach aims to transform visitors from mere observers to active participants. This method aligns with the overarching theme of the exhibition. By encouraging active participation and discussion among the visitors, Dou and Lam subtly mirror the global conversation on climate change. Often, people discuss climate change as though they are external observers, despite being intrinsically involved in the issue. This curatorial choice serves as a metaphorical nudge, shifting the audience’s mindset towards a deeper realization of their active role in environmental matters. The roadmap, therefore, becomes more than a guide; it’s a vehicle for engagement and further contemplation.

The roadmap, as mentioned before, also serves as a table of contents, unmasking each art piece as a chapter in an environmental declaration. All featured art pieces are designated to one stop on the map; as the table expands, audiences are presented with the causation of a carefully curated journey about enlightenment and awakening.