African project:
THREAD
The rural village of Sinthian in south-eastern Senegal is the setting for an
exciting new cultural centre, conceived and funded by the Josef and Anni
Albers Foundation in Connecticut in collaboration with a local leader in
Sinthia
with bamboo, brick, and thatch. These traditional techniques are combined with
design innovations by Mori. The customary pitched roof is inverted and will be capable
of collecting approximately 40% of the villagers’ domestic water usage in fresh rainfall.
Nicholas Fox Weber, Director of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation comments on the
ethos of THREAD, “When Josef and Anni Albers created the Foundation that bears their
names, they stated its purpose to be “the revelation and evocation of vision through
art”. They regarded the act of creation and the pleasures of seeing as the greatest
means to combat hardship and provide balance and hope. Anni Albers often spoke
about “starting at zero” as essential in life and Josef often extolled the wonders of
experimentation.” THREAD has been built in accord with these values.
Local leader, Dr. Magueye Ba and U.S. based non-profit organisation, American
Friends of Le Korsa (AFLK) have worked together in running Sinthian’s medical
centre, building its first kindergarten, funding its teachers’ salaries and helping the
community initiate new agricultural practices. Now, with the help of The Josef and
Anni Albers Foundation, the village will see the inauguration of a new facility that will
complement the existing infrastructure, and promises to stimulate further creativity in
the region. AD
Photography: Iwan Baan
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