Open Palm presents the Duho Pavilion designed by Limbo Accra.
Unveiled at Palm Heights in Grand Cayman on the occasion of Cayman Carnival, the monumental landscape installation is inspired by the ceremonial meditation stools of the indigenous Taino people from the Caribbean. These Duho stools were integral to Taino culture, serving as conduits to access ancestors and realms of the real and imaginary. Set within the landscape of an abandoned building, the concept of the pavilion is rooted in Limbo’s approach to engaging with the in-between, entering portals of the liminal, and reimagining anew.
The ruin, overtaken by plant life and non-human species, piqued Limbo’s curiosity about the intricate interconnections within its ecosystem. Rather than engaging with the concrete shell of the building, as they normally would, they sought to understand the ecological entanglements of this site and how to integrate this into an architectural gesture. The goal was to design and build a landscape proposal, drawing inspiration from those that came before us.
Today, an estimated 150 Duho artifacts remain preserved within private or museum collections. In a profound yet delicate gesture, Limbo erected 30 resilient aluminum poles, each symbolizing 5 displaced Duhos. The material choice serves as a powerful reminder, prompting reflection and contemplation on the past, present and future of an erased legacy. Measuring 3000mm x 120mm (H × W), the mirrored, polished and exposed poles engage with visitors by creating a delicate and subtle balance in movement, blurring the boundaries between the landscape and the pavilion.
For the opening event at the Duho Pavilion, guests experienced a unique sonic performance conceived and produced by Zion Estrada of the Wild Grass Research Practice, that blurred the lines between land and performance. Choreographer Chris Emile activated the portal with an intimate ceremonial movement performance. Additionally, visitors enjoyed a reading and study room titled "Field Notes 001 - Posture, Transmission, Land - Grand Cayman" by Wild Grass Research Practice in collaboration with Library Fetish. This space, set within the skeleton of the abandoned structure, presented research that informed the Duho Pavilion, Caribbean spatial history, spirituality, and our relationship with the land.
Video credits:
Shot by Ciera Dunbar and Cat Morrison
Edited by Curtis Essel
Sound by Zion Estrada
8 авг 2024
