RETRACING THE TROPICS:
Agency, Process, Legacy
This proposal for the Irish pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, titled "Retracing the Tropics," aimed to create a dynamic and hospitable space for transcultural learning, debate, and inspiration. The pavilion was designed to feature a striking installation showcasing both historic and contemporary Irish architectural work in sub-Saharan Africa, using a variety of media such as documentary films, found footage, architectural artifacts, drawings, and photography.
The pavilion intended to draw attention to the significant yet often overlooked role of Irish architects in the development of the "tropical modern" approach to building in Africa during the mid-20th century. It also sought to explore the ongoing legacy of these buildings and how recent Irish architectural projects in the region are actively working to counter neo-colonial practices.
In addition to the physical installation, the pavilion planned to host a learning program with contributions from leading practitioners and scholars. This program was designed to reflect on the historical and contemporary exchanges between Irish, European, and African architecture, offering insights into the legacy of tropical modernism and its relevance to contemporary architectural practices, especially in the context of global discussions on climate action and the role of architecture in shaping societies.
This vision was particularly timely and internationally relevant due to ongoing debates about the built environment, the anniversary of the tropical modern movement, and the urgent need for new, sustainable models in architecture.
Killian O’Dochartaigh, Lisa Godson, Annie Fletcher, Chinwe Kane and Neil Kane
Pavilion Design:
Killian O’Dochartaigh and Neil Kane
Lead Research / Learning Programme: Lisa Godson
Curatorial Consultant:
Annie Fletcher
Audio-Visual Consultants:
Edward Lawrenson and Still Films
Contributors: Ebun Joseph/African Scholars Association of Ireland (AfSAI). Ola Uduku (University of Liverpool) Hannah Le Roux (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) Samantha Martin-McAuliffe (University College Dublin/Samburu Project, Kenya)
The pavilion intended to draw attention to the significant yet often overlooked role of Irish architects in the development of the "tropical modern" approach to building in Africa during the mid-20th century. It also sought to explore the ongoing legacy of these buildings and how recent Irish architectural projects in the region are actively working to counter neo-colonial practices.
In addition to the physical installation, the pavilion planned to host a learning program with contributions from leading practitioners and scholars. This program was designed to reflect on the historical and contemporary exchanges between Irish, European, and African architecture, offering insights into the legacy of tropical modernism and its relevance to contemporary architectural practices, especially in the context of global discussions on climate action and the role of architecture in shaping societies.
This vision was particularly timely and internationally relevant due to ongoing debates about the built environment, the anniversary of the tropical modern movement, and the urgent need for new, sustainable models in architecture.
TEAM
Curatorial team:Killian O’Dochartaigh, Lisa Godson, Annie Fletcher, Chinwe Kane and Neil Kane
Pavilion Design:
Killian O’Dochartaigh and Neil Kane
Lead Research / Learning Programme: Lisa Godson
Curatorial Consultant:
Annie Fletcher
Audio-Visual Consultants:
Edward Lawrenson and Still Films
Contributors: Ebun Joseph/African Scholars Association of Ireland (AfSAI). Ola Uduku (University of Liverpool) Hannah Le Roux (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) Samantha Martin-McAuliffe (University College Dublin/Samburu Project, Kenya)
