Josèfa Ntjam: swell of spæc(i)es
Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia - Palazzina Canonica CNR-ISMAR, Venice, 2024

Collateral Event of the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, swell of spæc(i)es by artist, performer and writer Josèfa Ntjam, unfolds a new creation myth shaped by ancient and emergent ways of conceiving the universe. Within this imaginary, plankton is a point of convergence between the deep ocean and outer space, biological and mythical realms, possible pasts and alternative futures. 

The exhibition takes place in the courtyard of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, in a purpose-built pavilion designed by UNA / UNLESS architecture studio, and is accompanied by an interactive element at Palazzina Canonica – CNR ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine).  

The project includes sonic sculptures and a new film scored by Fatima al Qadiri, displayed on a curved LED wall. The film blends 3D animation and footage from aquariums into a circular narrative of creation, transformation and resurgence. It features a cast of interspecies characters synthesised using AI and other digital tools, including 3D models of marine life, scans of West African statues held in museum collections and photographs witnessing decolonial independence movements. Ntjam’s sonic sculptures are made from innovative materials such as biosourced resin and reishi mycelium. 

swell of spæc(i)es is presented by LAS Art Foundation as the organization's first project to be presented outside of Berlin.