Swell of spæc(i)es

Josèfa Ntjam’s swell of spæc(i)es project spans two venues at this year’s Venice Biennale. At the Instituto di Scienze Marine’s Palazzina Canonica, visitors will engage in an interactive experience using AI to imagine fictional sea creatures. The main installation, in a pavilion at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, creates an otherworldly environment inspired by Venice’s aquatic origins. Cosmic landscapes are projected onto a large curved LED wall, accompanied by a soundscape by Fatima Al Qadiri. The installation features suspended jellyfish sound showers and membranes made from innovative materials such as bio-resin, offering a unique sensory experience.

Ntjam’s work explores themes of alterity and resurrection in the face of hegemonic erasure, fusing Dogon cosmogony with contemporary discoveries, using AI to synthesise cross-species characters and fusing diverse cultural sources, including 3D models of marine life and images of West African statues. Inspired by Drexciya’s underwater mythology and Sun Ra’s Afro-futurist visions, Ntjam’s project invites viewers to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of history and imagination.

Running from 20 April to 24 November 2024, Josèfa Ntjam’s swell of spæc(i)es is housed in a purpose-built pavilion designed by UNA / UNLESS Architects. The project is commissioned by the LAS Art Foundation.