Africa, the youngest and fastest urbanizing continent, will be the starting point for next year's Venice Architecture Biennale. Laboratory of the Future will show issues of justice, race, hope and fear through the lens of African cities.
On an anthropological level, we are all Africans. And what happens in Africa affects us all," says Lesley Lokko, curator of next year's Venice Architecture Biennale.
decolonization
photo courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
The look at Africa presented by Lesley Lokko is primarily intended to decolonize thinking about the continent, its people and space. The curator points out that seen from a European perspective, ethnic or national minorities are de facto the majority of the world's population in global terms. Not only in the countries of the global south or the Arab world, but also in Europe, subjugated or colonized groups are no longer an unnoticeable margin.
equitable development
photo courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Starting from this premise, Lesley Lokko presents Africa as the place where the world's fastest growing cities are expanding - nearly 4% annual growth. The continent is also on average half the age of Europe or North America. Such rapid development is often based on a predatory economy conducted at the expense of existing ecosystems and the environment. At the same time, Africa is one of the more vulnerable areas to climate catastrophe. This also puts architects practicing there on the front lines. Recalling the history of forced displacement, slavery and colonization, the curator points out that racial and climate justice are two sides of the same coin.
a vision for the future
photo courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Laboratory for the Future is also a tribute to the generations fighting for liberation and equality. The biennale is meant to address the aspirations for a more just, inclusive and equal society. The curator also seeks a place in this struggle for architects, whom she calls key actors in the process of translating images of the future into reality. In her statement, she also points to the role of the Biennale itself, which takes on the formula of a laboratory, a space for discussion and speculation on the meaning of the discipline.
bold decision
The curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice is the aforementioned Lesley Lokko. The Scottish-Ghanaian architect, who was nominated for the post last December, is known for her pedagogical activities, community involvement and novel writing. She herself describes the decision of La Biennale di Venezia's board as bold and courageous. We wrote more about her activities to date in an article on the portal in December.
La Biennale di Venezia president Roberto Cicutto with Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 curator Lesley Lokko
Photo by Jacopo Salvi, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
The 18th Venice International Architecture Exhibition will take place from May 20 to November 26, 2023. Press days are tentatively scheduled for May 18-19, 2023.
