Resolving conflict in contemporary architecture and art within
the context of socio-cultural changes, among other issues will form part of an
interactive event of the Nigerian Pavilion at the 15th International Architecture
Exhibition Venice Biennale 2016 themed Diminished Capacity.
Agenda Setting’ II - deviant amplification (detail) 2008, courtesy Musée d’Ixelles , Brussels / Ola-Dele Kuku projects © 2016. |
The interactive programme
tagged A Continuous State Of Time, includes lectures, debates and
workshops on the contemporary phenomenon of conflict in architecture and art,
in times of socio-cultural transformation.
Holding on September 7, 2016 (16:00 hrs.) at The Nigerian Pavilion, Spazio Punch, Giudecca 800/o, Venezia
30133, Italia, A Continuous State Of Time is an integral component of the
formation and evolution of a social system, conflict emerges as a significant
mechanism that instigates change rather than unanimity, Ola-Dele Kuku (architect –
artist) states. “This
phenomenon materializes in the form of various vital events such as wars,
natural disasters, emigrations, population displacements, birth, death, and
choice. These events ultimately become the stimuli and variants in the
transformation of societies.”
The contemporary
sociology of mass media communication reveals a consistent presentation of
agendas rather than reports which are illustrated by selected interest in
particularities, focus and oversight, adds architect – artist, Ola-Dele Kuku whose
works form the contents of The Nigerian Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2016.
He argues that the
constitution and composition of a social system involve conflict as a process
of modification towards a different future of experience. Kuku notes how evolution
in contemporary culture is predominantly forged by conflict or vital events
which are instigating new conditions of adaptations and developments.
Guest
participants include: Ahad Moslami (Artist) – Iran; Giacomo Carlesso (Poet) –
Italy; Cinzia Didonna (Università Iuav, Venezia); Alice Mestriner (Università
Iuav, Venezia); Camilla Boemio (Curator, Writer) – Italy; Students from the
Università Iuav, Venezia; Ola-Dele Kuku (Architect - Artist). The panel aims to
reflect on the topic of Socio-Cultural Conflict, a theme which is recurrent in
Ola-Dele Kuku’s works, lectures and research.
Excerpts from her text:
“Therefore, conflicts can be understood as a familiar interdependent
relationship involving constrains and obligations.
Understanding the conflict phenomenon as a catalyst of
socio-cultural evolution, reveals that the notion is a stimulant for
improvement and progressive tendency. Hence, the accommodation of conflicts is
a prominent objective within all aspects of social planning and
intervention’.
Collective Representation' – article 1 (one sided light box) courtesy LMS Gallery Brussels / Ola-Dele Kuku Projects © 2016. |
What does it take
to create an alternative approach within the routine of responding to a
conflict?
How can you translate the very complex dimensions of extreme
human conditions in conflict and disasters zones to something someone can
relate to within their own private space?
The concept of conflict - as the main organisational
principle behind the way things are ordered, conflict is not necessarily a
negative, destabilising factor, on the contrary can one even benefit from it?
“A Continuous State Of
Time’ is an initiative curated by Alice Mestriner (Università Iuav di Venezia),
with the collaboration of students from the Università Iuav di Venezia, as a
parallel event relating to the installation by Kuku, titled 'Diminished Capacity', for the Nigerian pavilion at the15th
International Architecture Exhibition Venice Biennale 2016.
‘Diminished
Capacity’ was conceived as a reflection of the contemporary global phenomenon
of 'Socio-Cultural Conflicts', with specific focus on the role of 'Information
/ Communication' and the 'Mass Media'. The exhibition will be presented as a
reaction to the frictions of social communication and the mass media, vis-à-vis
the notion of a unitary tendency of society and common values.
Meanwhile, researchers
and academics are encouraged to send their confirmations to participate in the
debates. Documentation of the event will be eventually accessible online and
will also feature in the book titled ‘Diminished Capacity’ which will be
attributed to the Nigerian Pavilion for the 15th International Architecture
Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia 2016.
Camilla Boemio is the curator of Diminished Capacity.
Camilla Boemio is the curator of Diminished Capacity.