Last year, the University of Melbourne was transformed into a haven of biodiversity and Indigenous stories through the installation of over 40,000 Kulin Nation plants, plus artworks, gathering spaces and soundscapes.
While The Living Pavilion was primarily an Indigenous-led festival space, it was also a research project. A series of studies were undertaken to investigate whether a temporary event space can successfully transfer knowledge and evoke a sense of Aboriginal belonging and sovereignty.
Surveys conducted over the course of the three-week event found that 84% of participants agreed, or strongly agreed that they felt more connected to Indigenous culture by visiting the event. The data also revealed there was a 40% increase in people’s perception of the site as an Aboriginal place.
More key takeaways are detailed in a new report, and for those of you who missed it or want to revisit the event, take a look at The Living Pavilion video.
Image: The Living Pavilion by Isabel Kimpton