Forms Of Culture: Mapping The Cultural Economies Of The Asia-Pacific

Forms of Culture is a research project founded by Vicky Lam and Lauren Garner that investigates cultural economies through the lens of architecture in Melbourne and the Asia-Pacific, with a focus on Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. This exhibition builds on research that combines both ephemeral and quantitative data to examine a series of buildings identified for their social, economic, and cultural value—spaces that are often taken for granted.

At the core of this inquiry is the vertical laneway — an architectural and experiential axis that connects stacked programs, shaping spatial and social interactions in ways both tangible and elusive. This exhibition dissects its function beyond circulation, positioning it as an economic scaffold and a cultural enabler.

Beyond its spatial logic, the exhibition explores: What are the fiscal systems that sustain these buildings? How do artists and communities contribute to or operate within these cultural economies? What role does architecture play in ensuring their ongoing viability? By mapping size, amenity, architectural typologies, and financial underpinnings, Forms Of Culture reveals the hidden frameworks that make these spaces work—and the conditions that threaten their survival.

The exhibition is presented in large-scale architectural drawings, video work, and comparative data, analysing cultural buildings across Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City. It incorporates insights from artists, architects, and developers who contribute to and shape these spaces, illustrating their operational and experiential qualities. This installation is produced in collaboration with RMIT Architecture students.

This exhibition is located in the stairwell of Curtin House, Levels 2–4, with an opening event on Sunday, 18th May, from 2-4pm at Metropolis Bookstore, Curtin House.