A Political Classroom

The classroom is an obvious continuation of the experiences and research we’ve accumulated over the last half a year through a pedagogical exchange of knowledge and the course Agents of Change: Mediating Minorities. As I would like to think of it, the classroom emphasises learning rather than teaching; more specifically, learning from each other and striving to establish a situation that’s free from hierarchies. We want an exchange of knowledge that flows from all of us, regardless of education or lack of education, and regardless of age or experience.  The subject is political, a concept that various thinkers understand and describe in very different ways. The political aspect of this classroom is negotiated, and seeks to bring awareness of our responsibility for the society we are continually forming together. Why not question the hegemonic system that’s in place, and think of alternatives that could serve us better? The Political Classroom can be a space for experimentation and trials of ideas, an arena for free thought and creativity that can engage everybody. 

The Political Classroom project is situated in Tensta konsthall within a space that’s already used for workshops, the Women's Café and the Language Café (which is part of Silent University by Ahmed Ögut). Therefore, it was important for me that people who use the space should get involved – they deserved to have a say about the space they utilise. We agreed on a multipurpose, amphitheatrical structure with a wooden platform in which we can also store the materials in use, and displays of books and archive material that are made available for people to look at and read. The textile elements of the classroom, such as its curtains and pillows, have been designed by participants at the summer workshop and Women's Café under the leadership of Muna Alyaqoobi and textile artist Anna Nordström, in collaboration with Stockholms Läns Hemslöjd, the Stockholm branch of the Association of Swedish Handicraft Societies. 

The Political Classroom is a project in progress. We will add further pedagogical tools to it, including an incubator for homeless plants – leftover plants. We will be growing new, edible plants indoors, under growing lights. These plants will provide oxygen in a windowless space, as an attempt to highlight the important role that plants play for our living environments, which need to be taken care of and nurtured daily. We also have a specific discursive program planned, in which we will be continuing the debate we initiated at our seminar in February 2021.