The Majlis recreates a traditional Islamic gathering space, with materials not usually associated with structures of this kind. The design was created and executed in collaboration between architects Simón Vélez and Stefana Simic, and craftspeople located in Colombia, Morocco, and Italy.
The Majlis is installed in the gardens of the Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The primary materials used for the Islamic gathering space include bamboo and handwoven textiles. The project was instigated by Caravane Earth, a newly established foundation that seeks to find answers to today’s problems in traditional ideas and techniques. The installation at the Venice Biennale will be accompanied by an exhibition that showcases objects and craftsmanship from around the world. The managing director of Caravane Earth shared that “The main purpose of The Majlis is to illustrate the importance of intercultural dialogue and mutual education, to demonstrate the power of traditional knowledge and techniques in dealing with the majority of planetary issues of the present.”
Image Credit: Dezeen
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Bamboo-framed Gathering Spaces
- Designing gathering spaces using sustainable and unconventional materials such as bamboo and textiles.
- Revival of Traditional Techniques
- Utilizing traditional craftsmanship and knowledge to address modern problems and to highlight their importance in intercultural dialogue.
- Culturally-inspired Installations
- Creating installations that showcase different cultures and encourage mutual education and intercultural dialogue.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture and Design
- Opportunity for architects and designers to incorporate sustainable and unconventional materials, and highlight traditional craftsmanship in their work.
- Sustainability and Environment
- Applying sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions in the design and construction of future gathering spaces.
- Art and Culture
- Creating culturally-inspired installations and exhibitions that encourage mutual education and intercultural dialogue, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and knowledge from around the world.
