International Visitors Programme
During the inaugural edition of the Design Biennale Rotterdam, Okra Agency welcomed two Afro-European designers, Giles Tettey Nartey and Charles O. Job, to share their expertise and practice with Dutch colleagues and the public. From 18 to 21 February, architect and artist Giles Tettey Nartey visited Rotterdam to connect with the Dutch design community. On 27 February, Charles O. Job visited Rotterdam to deliver a keynote speech at the Nieuwe Instituut.
Okra Agency had arranged for Tettey Nartey’s latest work, DA/Body Rest, to be included in Interstices, a group exhibition at the Huidenclub. After arriving on 18 February, Tettey Nartey installed this work alongside the other participating designers and the biennale team. The following day, 19 February, he attended the biennale’s professional day, which gave him the opportunity to engage with industry professionals such as Paul Cournet, Chris Kabel and Nat Barker.
The morning of 20 February started with a visit to the studio of Sabine Marcelis. After this, Tettey Nartey joined a panel discussion on diasporic design practices at the Huidenclub with Amanda Pinatih, Joseph Zeal-Henry and Zineb Segrouchni. This was followed by an in-depth keynote lecture on his own practice. The day ended with an intimate drink and dinner with some of the panellists, during which the knowledge exchange could continue.
On 27 February, Charles O. Job took part in a programme in Rotterdam for which Okra Agency invited students from the Design Academy Eindhoven, as well as the general public and press, including Yoko Choy from Wallpaper magazine. The keynote lecture at the Nieuwe Instituut that day was followed by a Q&A and networking opportunity, enabling students and professionals to continue the discussion.
Giles Tettey Nartey is a multidisciplinary British-Ghanaian artist and architect. His research-based practice encompasses filmmaking, installation art, performance art and object design, focusing on material cultures and the relationship between craft and ritual.
Charles O. Job, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, is an architect and designer with a global perspective. His studio explores architecture and design at different scales, emphasising simplicity and innovation.