May we evolve’ is a temporary exhibition in the KIT building. The colonial past of KIT and that of her own family inspired Natasha to visualise our changing view of nature: from an inexhaustible supply of ‘resources’ subordinate to human exploitation, to the ‘commons’: a collective heritage that should be managed fairly and sustainably.

With its origins in the Colonial Institute and contemporary mission to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world, KIT is a tangible example of this changing view. The KIT building is an iconic place that is ideally suited to facilitate a public discussion about our colonial past and about decolonisation movements that are currently taking place in our society. KIT feels responsible for addressing injustices today as well is in the past. This exhibition is part of that.

For the exhibition, Natascha consulted hundreds of archives and collected historical images in the Netherlands and Indonesia. She also stayed with Indonesian commons communities, such as the indigenous Kasepuhan and the contemporary artist collective Jatiwangi Art Factory.

The exhibition can be seen in the reception hall of KIT (entrance Mauritskade 64). In an adjacent room known as the Houtkabinet, the installation ‘Schaduwkabinet’ is exhibited, a work of art specially created for the occasion by artists Doina Kraal and Roger Cremers.

About Natascha Hagenbeek

Natascha Hagenbeek develops projects and exhibitions around social issues. She is the founder of the socio-ecological art project ‘I can change the world with my two hands’, creator of the Commons Flag and author of the Commons Catalogue. She is actively involved in the city garden project ‘Van afval tot Oogst’ (From Waste to Harvest), in which the garden of KIT is one of the locations. Natasha graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Postacademie Jan van Eyck, and is currently following the Indonesian commons-based Lumbung programme at the Sandberg Institute. (See: natascha.net)