MAXXI – Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo – Galleria 4, Rome
David Adjaye, Mokena Makeka and Jo Noero are the protagonists of three encounters on African contemporary architecture
The first appointment is with David Adjaye: Wednesday 4 July, 18.00
Africa is the most youthful continent and one of the most populous; a land rich in cultural, religious, economic and urban diversity, where architecture tries to make a contribution to improvement of quality of life.
With The space of a continent, the cycle of three encounters coordinated by Irene De Vico Fallani and Elena Motisi, produced parallel to the exhibition African Metropolis. An imaginary city (until 4 November 2018), three protagonists of African contemporary architecture – David Adjaye, Mokena Makeka and Jo Noero – have been invited to talk about how Africa is becoming a pioneering place of ethical, innovative design, with a focus on public spaces and widespread wellbeing.
The first encounter is on Wednesday 4 July at 18.00 in the spaces of the installation Le Salon Bibliothèque by Hassah Hajjaj, which reproduces a Moroccan cafe. The protagonist of the event, moderated by Pippo Ciorra, Senior Curator of MAXXI Architettura, is Sir David Adjaye, known as one of the most outstanding architects of his generation.
Adjaye was born in Tanzania to parents from Ghana, and his influences range from contemporary art, music and science to the forms of African art and the life of cities.
In the studio Adjaye Associates architecture provides opportunities for the not only material but also conceptual and sociological transformation of the city. Buildings are designed to meet different needs of communities, attempting to improve everyday life. The studio pays close attention to the use of materials, research, innovation and sustainability, seen as a philosophy of life closely connected to design: their projects involved recycled and inexpensive materials to create optimal environments to adapt to local climate conditions.
The next encounters will be on Thursday 12 July with Mokena Makeka and Thursday 19 July with Jo Noero.
