In Venice, Architecture, Art dialogue over ‘conflict’

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.