Latest news with #Tavengwa
Sharjah 24
01-07-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Architecture Triennial announces theme of 3rd (SAT03)
Continuing SAT's mission to reframe architectural discourse from the vantage points of West Asia, South Asia, and the African continent, this edition addresses the growing complexity and dominance of urban life, particularly in fast-developing regions. As cities evolve into hyper-connected infrastructural networks, they have become the primary terrain where social, economic, political, technological and ecological forces collide, fundamentally reshaping how we live, connect and build together. Urban environments now extend beyond the physical boundaries of cities, encompassing vast territorial and cultural differences, digital realms and migratory flows - and every shift resonates across communities with potential global consequences. In this context, architecture must reclaim its role as a critical and imaginative force capable of responding to the nuances and complexities of how we inhabit the world today. Expanding on her approach for SAT03, Vyjayanthi Rao said: "This edition adopts a multi-disciplinary perspective, exploring architecture through the lens of anthropology, grounded in the locality of phenomena and context and remaining attentive simultaneously to global conditions and cultural difference. We are especially interested in exploring migratory movement and the rapid extension and localization of urbanism as building blocks of contemporary social life. The edition will foreground propositions for building civic infrastructure hospitable to these flows, creating new pathways for collective life to prosper in an uncertain and rapidly mutating world." This curatorial vision reflects the long-standing work of Rao and Tavengwa: Rao as an anthropologist and teacher at the Yale School of Architecture, who focuses on urbanism in India and the U.S.; and Tavengwa as a writer and co-founder of CS Studio, which develops experimental methods to reframe cities through plural, interdisciplinary lenses. Architecture Otherwise will embed the Triennial into the city and the Emirate of Sharjah through site-specific installations, exhibitions, performances, workshops and public events. It will convene architects, artists, designers, scholars, cultural institutions and local communities from across the Gulf and the Global South, bringing the Triennial into direct dialogue with the region. For the first time, select participants will also undertake month-long residencies in Sharjah, allowing them to embed their work within its cultural and social context. These initiatives will activate a wide range of urban spaces and invite audiences to engage in critical conversations about the future of architecture and civic life. In line with SAT's commitment to long-term engagement and research, this edition will generate enduring tools, insights, and frameworks that extend beyond the event itself - contributing to a richer, more inclusive architectural discourse. The second public event of SAT03 will be held in November 2025, marking one year until the Triennial's opening. The programme will include the announcement of the first group of participants, followed by a conversation between the selected participants and the curators. This follows the launch of the SAT03 series with 'Meet the Curators' on May 10, 2025.
Trade Arabia
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Trade Arabia
Sharjah Architecture Triennial 2026 appoints curators
Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT) has announced Vyjayanthi Rao as curator of its third edition (SAT03), joined by Tau Tavengwa as associate curator. Taking place in 2026, the Triennial is a platform for architecture and urbanism from West Asia to South Asia and the African continent. An anthropologist, writer, artist, and curator based in New York and Mumbai, Rao brings a multidisciplinary perspective and a deep sensitivity to context in her work. With a background in socio-cultural anthropology, her writing has contributed significantly to critical discourse on urbanism and the built environment, with a focus on India and the United States, and her practice increasingly bridges research and public engagement. For SAT03, Rao works closely with London and Cape Town-based architect, curator, and publisher Tavengwa, continuing a rich dialogue that began with their curatorial collaboration for the 2022 Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Tavengwa is the founder and editor of Cityscapes Magazine, a publication dedicated to exploring urbanism from a Global South perspective, and the co-founder of CS Studio, an interdisciplinary urbanism studio. Mona El-Mousfy, advisor for the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, commented: "We are thrilled to have Vyjayanthi Rao as curator for our upcoming edition. Her deep knowledge of urbanism, with her particular focus on South Asian cities and neighborhoods, brings invaluable insight to the project. With her background in anthropology and her research-driven approach, she will undoubtedly offer a fresh perspective to this edition. "Vyjayanthi has invited her long-time collaborator, Tau Tavengwa, to join as associate curator. Tau is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the field and reimagining the architecture Triennial model alongside her." The curators will collaborate closely with the Triennial team to build on its ongoing initiatives in the public realm, drawing on its deep knowledge of the city and community networks, while contributing broader perspectives on architecture's role in shaping more sustainable, inclusive, and responsive cities. Aligning with the Sharjah Architecture Triennial's focus on process as a means of idea generation, Rao and Tavengwa invite SAT03 to adopt a propositional, rather than representational, approach. Rao and Tau said: "We are hugely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important and distinctive platform as the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. Through our collaboration, we hope to open up new ways of thinking about what a triennial like Sharjah can become over time - leaving behind tangible strategies and ideas that respond to the needs and challenges of contemporary urban centres across the Global South and beyond." Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, commente: "Rao's practice, which offers vital insights into urbanisation, aligns with the context of SAT and Sharjah's ongoing urban transformation. Her work speaks directly to the Triennial's mission in terms of our commitment to research, innovation and knowledge-sharing, and we are excited to support both her and Tau in fostering a public-facing conversation around the critical, and complex, issues of today." On May 10, 2025, Sharjah Architecture Triennial will host "Meet the Curators of the 2026 SAT Edition," a public event at SAT headquarters, Al Qasimiyah School, marking the first official appearance of Vyjayanthi Rao and Tau Tavengwa as SAT03 curator and associate curator. This gathering will offer audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the newly appointed team as they share initial insights into their curatorial approach and vision for the upcoming edition. The conversation will unfold in dialogue with members of the SAT team, offering a first look into the conceptual framework shaping SAT03.
Sharjah 24
02-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SAT appoints curator and associate curator of its third edition
The curators will collaborate closely with the Triennial team to build on its ongoing initiatives in the public realm, drawing on its deep knowledge of the city and community networks, while contributing broader perspectives on architecture's role in shaping more sustainable, inclusive, and responsive cities. Aligning with the SAT's focus on process as a means of idea generation, Rao and Tavengwa invite SAT03 to adopt a propositional, rather than representational, approach. On Saturday, May 10, 2025, SAT will host "Meet the Curators of the 2026 SAT Edition", a public programme at SAT headquarters, Al Qasimiyah School, marking the launch of SAT03 in the presence of its curators. This gathering will offer audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the newly appointed team as they share initial insights into their curatorial approach and vision for the upcoming Triennial, set to take place in 2026. The programme will begin with a welcome note and a formal introduction of the curators, followed by a presentation of their vision for SAT03, offering insight into the curatorial themes and directions currently in development. A conversation will then unfold between the curators and members of the SAT team, including Mona El Mousfy (Advisor, SAT), Sharmeen Inayat (Curator of Research and Urban Programmes), Sahil Abdul Latheef (Manager of Public Programming), and Nihal Halimeh (Manager of Architecture and Programmes). Together, they will discuss the collaborative process and institutional perspectives shaping the third edition of the Triennial. The event will conclude with an open Q&A session, inviting public questions and reflections. "Meet the Curators of the 2026 SAT Edition" is free and open to the public. It invites architects, designers, students, scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the spaces we shape and live in to join the conversation and take part in this formative moment for SAT03.
