Subtraction is the act of cutting through colonial architecture in order to reveal and open up space for multiple viewpoints, readings, experiences, histories and stories. Subtracting and erasing (tactics also used by colonialism to opposite ends) can be used as ways of investigating and provoking new heightened and inclusive visual and spatial experiences. The tactic of Subtraction can literally cut through the colonial architectural order, opening up dynamic ruptures in the historic order, while encouraging multiple perspectives, viewpoints and program possibilities.

In the Wartaka (coming together with purpose) we discussed this strategy (and the others) with the Djandak and Djaara Members design team. We discussed the idea of, rather than performing a ‘normal’ historic reconstruction of the building back to its 19th century state (and ideology), we would slice through the building, subtracting elements, to reveal and create spaces which connect cultures, multiple ideologies, beliefs, histories and stories: a system of design tactics which reveals new, multiple truths in the spaces (and unsettle the notion of a single dominant colonial ideology).

This process created building cuts and subtractions through the existing building and produced new horizontal spaces through the gallery to the Dja Dja Wurrung Indigenous interpretive sculpture garden and its stories of fire and water, and vertically through the truss structure towards the bell tower, opening up a perspective never before seen, and not part of the original colonial design intention.

nervegna-reed.com.au/projects/cgag