16th May 2023

May news: Deaf Architecture Front launch, no-strings cash for creatives, and inclusive events at London Festival of Architecture

Britain arrives in Venice, AHEC comes to Copenhagen, The Supporting Act makes its first payouts, and a new face arrives at Zetteler HQ…

Graphics for the Dancing Before the Moon exhibition by TEMPLO.

British Pavilion at Venice Biennale
Dancing Before the Moon opens this week

For anyone interested in the future of the built environment and the way our structures shape our societies, the Venice Architecture Biennale is always brimming with intriguing ideas. And this year’s British Pavilion promises to be one of the most thoughtful and unconventional yet.

Co-curated by an extraordinary group who each work between architecture, curation and activism, Jayden Ali, Joseph Henry, Meneesha Kellay and Sumitra Upham’s exhibition Dancing Before the Moon presents a series of new art installations on an architectural scale, alongside a new film and soundtrack.

Everything in the show is driven by the belief that architecture needs to look beyond buildings towards everyday social practices, customs and traditions in order to meaningfully reflect how people use and occupy space – particularly the diaspora communities that shape Britain today.

Opening on 20 May and running until 26 November 2023, the exhibition is accompanied by a vibrant public programme in Venice and the UK.

Get in touch to learn more.

The artist at work. Photography by Margaux Rodrigez, courtesy of Zone Trois Gallery.

Issi Nanabeyin
Putting pedagogy into practice

A boundary-straddling designer and artist on the ascendant, Issi Nanabeyin tackles architecture with a different perspective. Looking beyond the Western canon, taking inspiration from and amplifying diasporic communities worldwide, his practice is as pedagogical as it is practical.

Beginning at his base in East London, a typical day for Issi might involve teaching at the Bartlett, exhibiting sculptures and drawings at the likes of FILET gallery and Royal Academy of Arts, or unpacking historical contexts in his role as researcher for the African Futures Institute. So what’s on the horizon? You’ll have the opportunity to see his architecture-scale installation at this year’s British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale – and more of his work at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Learn more about Issi.

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will launch three creative commissions at 3daysofdesign. Graphic courtesy AHEC.

AHEC
Trio of commissions debut at 3daysofdesign

Continuing its mission to transform how designers and the public think about timber at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, AHEC commissioned a trio of Nordic designers – one each from Denmark, Norway and Sweden – and randomly paired them with one of three woods: red oak, maple or cherry.

Entitled Three, the exhibition aims to showcase the remarkable flexibility of these materials, and push their aesthetic limits to the max, and tell the stories of each designers’ journey with their timber. A sense of play and experimentation defines the resulting one-off objects and furniture pieces, which are accompanied by a plethora of videos, sketches, photographs and texts that chronicle the creative process.

Do email Emily for more information via ahec@zetteler.co.uk.

The Supporting Act trusts creatives with no-strings funding, distributing £600,000 in 2023.

The Supporting Act
Creative foundation gives £600,000 strings-free to emerging artists

In the world of creatively minded charitable foundations, the Supporting Act stands apart. WeTransfer, one of the biggest tech platforms in the world, founded the organisation with a million-pound donation – and a commitment to donate 1% of its profits, forever.

The foundation is not simply about giving money to emerging artists and creative practitioners (although that’s very, very good in our eyes); the key thing is that funding is provided without any strings attached. Want to experiment with weird materials? Go ahead. Just need to pay your rent so you can focus on your creative work? No worries. Whatever you need support with, The Supporting Act has your back.

The first group of awardees have received their money – a total of £600,000 has now been spread across the bank accounts of 26 emerging artists, artist-led initiatives, and grassroots arts organisations in Europe – and the Supporting Act is now gearing up for round two.

Find out more.

TEMPLO founders Anoushka Rodda and Pali Palavathanan.

TEMPLO
Meet the branding agency powered by purpose

A million and one agencies claim to be purpose-led. TEMPLO actually means it.

Having delivered ambitious branding projects with the likes of the United Nations, Greenpeace, Migrant Help, and the Committee on Climate Change, founders Anoushka Rodda and Pali Palavathanan have shown their focus on ethical-only, seriously purposeful projects can meaningfully change the world. Equal parts committed and creative, TEMPLO’s portfolio dives into issues including climate change, human rights and community empowerment. Among their most recent work are Atelier100’s 2023 open call, and the British Pavilion in Venice (see above).

Check them out.

Render of Fandangoe DISCOTECA in situ at Canary Wharf by Kiosk67, courtesy of the Fandangoe Kid.

The Fandangoe Kid
Design-inspired disco for mental health

In the face of a plethora of crises, Annie Nicholson – aka the Fandangoe Kid – is back with another high-octane project: this time using the power of disco to tackle climate angst and Covid grief.

Working in collaboration with The Loss Project, K67 Berlin and Street Soundsystem, Annie is inviting the public to join her in a revitalised micro-kiosk as part of Festival 14 at Canary Wharf on 26–30 June. There will be poppin’ music, honest conversations and undeniably good vibes.

Stay in tune with Fandangoe.

Graphics from Deaf Architecture Front, highlighting inequality within the architecture industry.

Deaf Architecture Front
Chris Laing launches campaigning platform at RIBA as part of LFA 2023

Architecture plays an important role in shaping our society – not just in terms of building our homes and neighbourhoods, but in designing our response to the needs of communities around us. But in an industry where just 3% identify as disabled, with only 0.2% of that number representing deaf people, many perspectives are not accounted for.

That’s why architectural designer and activist Chris Laing is launching Deaf Architecture Front (DAF), a platform and collective to tackle inequity faced by the Deaf community, at this year's London Festival of Architecture on 6 June. Including an inclusive programme of events, ranging from talks to walking tours, the launch of DAF is a powerful moment – and it’s time for the architecture industry at large to pay attention.

Follow DAF, and grab a ticket to the launch (which will feature an in-conversation with our very own Sabine Zetteler).

Re-Fabricate and the DisOrdinary Architecture Project.

London Festival of Architecture
Inclusive events programme announced

Every June, the London Festival of Architecture unleashes extraordinary commissions and bustling events across the city. This year, the month-long public programme is placing a timely emphasis on accessibility, with a host of events focused on making architecture – and by extension, the world – more inclusive.

Interested in how London could be greener, healthier and inclusive of everyone? Among the festival’s 400+ events, you can hear thought-provoking ideas for the future of architecture in ‘Manifestos: Architecture for a New Generation’ at the Design Museum, learn about radical co-housing schemes in Finland, spend a day at the Migration Museum discovering the diverse communities that define Lewisham, and, of course, attend the launch of the Deaf Architecture Front (see above!).

Get the LFA lowdown.

Andu Masebo
Upstart interiors magazine TON gets behind the scenes

“I’m convinced that we are living in a new golden age of interiors,” said Jermaine Gallacher while launching the first issue of TON. In our homes, we relax, spend time with our friends and family, and ultimately, express who we are. The publication is setting out to champion makers, artists, designers and decorators that make us think about the home in new exciting ways. Among them is none other than Andu Masebo, designer extraordinaire and recent alumnus of Atelier100.

Visiting the unique home and studio of Andu, the TON team lift the lid on his life and career, talking about the struggles of making it as a creative and what he credits his success to today.

Read the magazine and follow Andu.

Hardeep Kaur
Welcome to Team Zetteler’s newest member

We recently called out to the design community with the news that Zetteler was ready to expand, and we met an array of amazing people in response, leaving us with an immensely difficult task to choose just one.

But choose we did, and we’re now delighted to introduce a brand new brain to the team. Hardeep Kaur is a London-based writer, designer and creative director. The founder of her own design studio, per se London, she is passionate about exploring how design and big ideas can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Hardeep will be focusing on research to support our clients and campaigns, helping us to connect our stories about sustainability and inclusion with the latest facts, figures and reports. We couldn’t be happier to have her as part of the team.

Say hi.