This blog intends to convey my excitement before it mellows! I attended the AKAA ‘Implicate Explicate’ lecture at the V&A earlier this evening (Friday 18th Nov) and was truly inspired through its complete relevance for what I am beginning to do now!
The lecture ‘Implicate Explicate: Aga Khan Award for Architecture’ showcased the nominated buildings, spaces and places celebrating architecture within the Muslim world. The jury members comprise architects and non-architects, a very apt and real choice in my opinion. I personally feel that a recognised form of celebrating design contribution by and/or for the Islamic world (for the designers are not necessarily Muslims per se) within the context of the current global situation needs to show the world the positive influences of the religion and its people.
One of the points raised that started me excitement was the mention of architecture students and graduates as activists (rather apt considering the current global economic situation) who take on development projects before completing their courses or soon after; often on a voluntary basis. There is a sense of entrepreneurial drive within the current generation. I guess considering the current economic crisis however unfair it is many of us new graduates and postgraduates are finding it difficult to find paid work so the only option to keep the skills and knowledge gained from our studies fresh, volunteer opportunities and self-initiated projects seem the way to go. It was suggested that many student/graduate activists undertake such projects not only as goodwill contributions to humanity, but many are now seeking to enter the development sector as a career.
The first exciting thing about this was that I felt that the speaker was talking about me! At the risk of sounding self-centred but I felt that this lecture provided me with signs encouraging me to continue on the path that I have begun to tread.
More: ‘Implicate Explicate: Aga Khan Award for Architecture’: the lecture that inspired! | Sadiqa Jabbar.
Ismailimail 