Exhibition explores street as contested space of freedom and exclusion

A new exhibition examines the modern street as a site of both autonomy and precarity, drawing on the Japanese concept of kugai—autonomous spaces historically found at temple and shrine gates and within post towns in Japan. These zones, exempt from state authority, fostered culture and exchange among travelers and performers. The exhibition uses the term rojō (shared ground) as its conceptual core, highlighting how the street remains a space where ownership and governance are fluid, enabling acts of resistance against institutional control. However, it also acknowledges the discomfort and exclusion inherent in such spaces. The show assembles artworks, historical milestones, and critical discourses to address the complex challenges of the contemporary street.