kengo kuma + geoff nees build 'botanical pavilion' at the NGV triennial

japanese architect kengo kuma has collaborated with artist geoff nees to build a temporary timber structure at the 2020 edition of the NGV triennial. the architectural installation responds to the philosophical nature of ‘dialogue’, a painting by korean artist lee ufan that is displayed within the space. the project takes the form of a gallery-scale circular pavilion that acts as a sensorial walkway through which to approach and contemplate ufan’s painting.

all images (unless otherwise stated): installation view of kengo kuma, kengo kuma associates and geoffrey nees’ ‘botanical pavilion’ 2020 on display in NGV triennial 2020 © kengo kuma and geoff nees. photo: tom ross

to realize the ‘botanical pavilion’, kengo kuma worked alongside geoff nees — a melbourne-based artist and curator who has also worked on a number of architectural pavilions. made in the japanese tradition of wooden architecture, where pieces interlock, held by tension and gravity, the structure at the NGV triennial features a tessellated interior lined with timber collected from trees felled or removed over several years at melbourne’s royal botanic gardens.

some of the trees used within the architecture pre-date european settlement, while others signal the development of the gardens as a site of scientific research and botanical classification. prioritizing natural phenomena over scientific order, the botanical species used are color-coded, rather than following any taxonomic order. this approach offers a statement by the designers against the reductive nature of science during the colonial era — a mindset at odds with many indigenous cultural beliefs and knowledge systems.

the NGV triennial is on view at the national gallery of victoria until april 18, 2021.

installation view of kengo kuma, kengo kuma associates and geoffrey nees’ ‘botanical pavilion’ 2020 (left) and lee ufan ‘dialogue’ 2017 (right) on display in NGV triennial 2020 © kengo kuma and geoff nees © lee ufan, courtesy of pace gallery. photo: tom ross

installation view of lee ufan ‘dialogue’ 2017 on display in NGV triennial 2020 © lee ufan, courtesy of pace gallery. photo: tom ross

project info:

name: botanical pavilion 2020
design: kengo kuma, geoff nees
location: NGV triennial, melbourne, australia
dates: on view until april 18, 2021