Global Architect David Adjaye to Deliver Glimcher Lecture at Wexner Center

“A rising star in the architecture world.”

—Nicolai Ouroussoff in The New York Times (May 3, 2009), on Adjaye

“A change agent.”

—EBONY magazine on Adjaye, in its Power 150 issue (Dec. 09/Jan. 10)

“Making a mark on D.C.”

—Washington Post, on Adjaye’s projects for Washington, D.C., in an article titled “Designs that Speak Volumes” (Oct. 1, 2009)

David Adjaye, among the most prominent architects of his generation, will discuss the transformative power of architecture and his current projects around the globe in the seventh annual Glimcher Lecture on Tuesday, April 6 at 7 pm in the Wexner Center’s Mershon Auditorium. The talk, cosponsored by Ohio State’s Knowlton School of Architecture, is free and open to the public.

An architect with an artist’s sensibility and vision, Adjaye (pronounced “AD-jay”) is increasingly recognized as one of the leading design innovators in the UK (where he lives) and well beyond. His ingenious use of materials and ability to sculpt and showcase light engage visitors to his buildings and bring his designs to life. Diverse in scale, audience, and geography, Adjaye’s projects include the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, the Idea Stores in London, several private residences, and collaborations with artists. Most recently, his firm won the competition to build the National Museum of African American History and Culture for the Smithsonian Institution, as part of the Freelon Adjaye Bond/Smith Group.

The son of a Ghanaian diplomat, Adjaye was born in Tanzania and raised in Egypt, Yemen, and Lebanon. Adjaye Associates has offices in London, New York, and Berlin. Read more about Adjaye and his work at http://www.adjayeassociates.com/.

Notes Wexner Center Director Sherri Geldin, “The center’s annual Glimcher Lecture has brought design mavericks at the forefront of their respective fields of inquiry to Columbus. We continue that trajectory with David Adjaye, whose stunning designs reflect a mastery of materials, space, and light in ways that liberally draw on artistic practices as well as architectural ones. This promises to be a fascinating evening for design experts and aficionados and for anyone intrigued by a unique and truly multidisciplinary approach to the built environment.”

This lecture is presented with support from the Glimcher Program Fund, which supports an annual lecture by a distinguished speaker in the fields of art, architecture, and design. The fund was created through the generosity of the Glimcher family to provide lasting opportunities for Wexner Center patrons to further enhance their understanding of the art and architecture of our time. Past lectures have been given by Zaha Hadid, Walter Hood, Petra Blaisse, Thom Mayne, Bruce Mau, and Alex McDowell.

American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for the event.