The Force Majeure exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale currently showcases the work of 16 African and diasporic designers. Lesley Lokko curates this exhibition as part of The Laboratory of the Future, one of six shows at the Biennale. Among the participating architects are David Adjaye, Diébédo Francis Kéré, and Mariam Issoufou Kamara. In this article, we will delve into the various installations presented by African artists. Additionally, we will examine the unique perspectives and creative visions showcased in these installations.
Lesley Lokko, the lead curator characterizes the participants as a fraction of the expanding community of Africa.
Furthermore, she asserts that the African diaspora practitioners fundamentally redefine the notion of “practice” through their installations. Moreover, the exhibition prominently showcases established figures such as Adjaye and Kéré. It also features emerging talents like Walter Hood and Thandi Loewenson. Each participant brings a unique perspective and creative vision to the show.
Among participating studios include Hood design studio which has a notable installation in the Scarpa Garden. Additionally, they also present Native(s) Lifeways; “arts lifeway” in South Carolina’s Phillips Creek wetland, a former plantation. The installation features a full-scale model accompanied by scale models demonstrating the use of native wood structures within the landscape.
Sean Canty of Studio Sean Canty contributes another compelling structure. His installation, Edgar’s Sheds, is based on two sheds. The sheds were built by his great-grandfather and explored the values of Black vernacular architecture. The installation symbolically features an over-scaled roof, emphasizing cultural heritage and identity.
Participating Nigerian artist Olalekan Jeyifous presents an imaginative project called the All-Africa Protoport. This “retrofuturist African eco-fiction” envisions Africa utilizing indigenous knowledge to develop a zero-emissions energy production system which leads to the creation of an Africa-centric international transport network.
Furthermore, David Adjaye, from Adjaye Associates, contributes models and videos of architectural projects. Notably, his installation showcases the proposed Edo Museum of West African Art for Nigeria. Additionally, Adjaye’s studio constructs the striking black wood Kwaee pavilion in the Biennale’s alternative main venue, the Arsenale.
Moreover, the exhibition showcases the exceptional work of various architects and artists. Artist Ibrahim Mahama’s Parliament of Ghosts uses abandoned train seats and salvaged school furniture to explore Ghana’s transition from a British colony to an independent nation. The exhibition is completed by the work of SOFTlab, Koffi & Diabaté Architectes, Cave Bureau, Urban American City, and Basis with GKZ.
Lesley Lokko emphasizes the significance of the African and African diaspora practitioners showcased in Force Majeure. Besides, their creative perspectives come from occupying multiple identities and speaking from diverse locations. Additionally, Lokko believes that a broader understanding of the term “architect” is necessary to address the complex conditions of both Africa and the rapidly hybridizing world.
The rest of The Laboratory of the Future exhibition is at the Arsenale, featuring various other exhibits. From an installation made from yellow-plastic gallon containers to a deconstructed building facade, the Biennale offers a diverse and inspiring collection of architectural and design projects.
The Venice Architecture Biennale runs from May 20 to November 26, 2023, providing a platform for architects and designers to showcase their innovative work. It is an event that brings together creative minds from around the world, sparking conversations and shaping the future of architecture and design.
