‘African Modernism – The Architecture of Independence’

Independent Africa is often considered in the context of its liberation heroes, less so in terms of its post-colonial architecture. The buildings, universities, churches, hotels and apartment complexes that are constructed in the wake of war signal the birth of a new nation and a country’s hopes for the future.

In ‘African Modernism – The Architecture of Independence’, a photographic exhibition of pre and post-colonial architecture currently on display at the National Art Gallery of Namibia, 80 buildings in Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zambia captured by photographers Iwan Baan and Alexia Webster illustrate how these African countries utilise architecture to express national identity and ambition.

Conceptualised and curated by Manuel Herz with Ingrid Schröder, Hans Focketyn, and Julia Jamrozik, the exhibition begins with a map highlighting the politics, presidents, demography, economy and society of these countries from 1950 to 2010 while contextualising the architecture in times of economic boom and decline.

“During the late 1950s and the early 1960s most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa gained their independence. Architecture became one of the principal means with which the young nations expressed their national identity,” says Herz.

“Parliament buildings, central banks, stadiums, conference centres, universities and independence memorials were constructed, often featuring heroic and daring designs. The architecture of countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya or Zambia still represents some of the best examples of 1960s and 1970s architecture worldwide. Nevertheless it has received little attention and still remains to be ‘rediscovered’.”

Featuring images of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Immeuble Dial Diop in Dakar, Lusaka Public Library, the University of Ghana and Hotel Ivoire Abidjan amongst others, the exhibition presents African architecture as a thing of beauty and innovation.

The undeniable rub is that in the concise information which bars detailing the history and location of the buildings, there are also the names of the architects who designed these formidable, identity-building, post-colonial structures and many of them are from somewhere else.

“This architecture also shows the difficulties, contradictions and dilemmas that the countries experienced in their independence process: In most cases, the architects were not local, but came from countries such as Poland, Yugoslavia, the Scandinavian nations, Israel, or even from the former colonial powers,” says Herz.

“Could the formation of a new national identity through architecture therefore be described as a projection from the outside? Or does the international dimension rather represent the aspirations of the countries aiming for a cosmopolitan culture? To what extent are projects such as the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, or the construction of Yamoussoukro as a new capital of Côte d’Ivoire modernistic grand projects that propel a country forward, or instead vanity projects initiated by authoritarian ‘Big Man’ policies? The documentation of these buildings allows us to see architecture at a fascinating nexus of design and politics.”

Though the exhibition doesn’t feature Namibia, it instantly inspires inquiry into our own pre and post-colonial architecture. What buildings, spaces and memorials are we most proud of as a nation? Who designed and built these buildings, spaces and memorials? Do our post-colonial spaces inspire dignity, a sense of pride, freedom and hope?

These are questions worth pondering and ‘African Modernism – The Architecture of Independence’ fascinates while offering viewers a glimpse of countries they may never visit.

Amble through the National Art Gallery of Namibia’s main gallery to see The Chai House in Kenya shaped like a space ship in the middle of the city. The orange, minimalist Maisonettes for the Bank of Zamibia built to provide accommodation for employees of the national bank and the modernist Senior Staff Clubhouse in Kumasi designed by John Owusu Addo in the 1960s.

‘African Modernism – The Architecture of Independence’ is brought to the National Art Gallery of Namibia by Goethe-Institut Namibia and will be on display until 27 February. Follow Goethe-Institut Namibia on Facebook for more information on associated local architectural events.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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