2 0 Frozen Music Maestro
Few architects have been so feted at such a young age, or
so early in their practice. David is only 38 and graduated
from the Royal College of Art (RCA) just 10 years ago.
He set up his studio, Adjaye & Associates, in 2000. In this
short time he has become a firm favourite of the critics
who have been effusive in their praise, to say the least.
Most strikingly, David has been described as an artist. “I
consider myself an architect not an artist,” he says, rejecting
that particular moniker. He explains that architecture is a
profession (in the ‘old school’ sense of the word), and has
a governing body set up by Royal Charter.
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Adjaye’s verbal precision should
come as little surprise. Architecture
is about precision above all else.
That isn’t to say that art, and the culture implicit to it,
aren’t a strong influence on Adjaye’s work. “All culture
plays a huge part in my work,” he explains. “I am
interested in culture.” This openness to various cultural
influences is indicative of Adjaye’s background. He is of
Ghanaian descent, born in Dar-Es-Salam, Tanzania, and
brought up in the UK. It is this mix of aesthetic, cultural
and spatial appreciation that gives his works such
character.
Adjaye’s aesthetic approach is perhaps best illustrated by
two of his most recent commissions. The current ‘Black
British Style’ exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London was designed by Adjaye. Designing a set for an
exhibition about fashion and style within a very established
and distinctive space like the V&A is a little off the
architectural beaten track, but it was a commission
Adjaye relished. So what era did he relate to most? “I
related to the whole exhibition,” he explains. “It was a bit
autobiographical.” He also has a very interesting take on
his role within the V&A commission. He sees it as being
about creating; “spaces that are mute, where interpretation
happens in people’s minds.” This is a theme that runs
through a lot of his work.
Adjaye has also been commissioned to design a headquarters
for the International Institute of Visual Arts and Autograph:
the Association of Black Photographers (inIVA & ABP, »
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