Ibrahim Mahama - The Quagrey Effect and The Precarious Gift

Villa Romana hosted a compelling keynote lecture titled The Quagrey Effect and The Precarious Gift by renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama. The lecture was followed by a convivial dinner, thanks to the support of Black History Month Florence, which fostered engaging discussions and reflections.

This event was part of a 1-week workshop titled Beyond Wishful Thinking: Communitarian Living, Intentional Communities, and Sustainable Togetherness. This laboratory of radical pedagogy focused on learning through practice, exploring models of commoning and ‘communing’ that strive to be ecologically sustainable and socially just. Over the course of the week, students from the Master Programme in Spatial Strategies at Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin and the Kumasi College of Art, K.N.U.S.T. in Ghana participated in the workshop, cohabitating at Villa Romana.

The Kumasi College of Art K.N.U.S.T. has been at the forefront of an ‘Emancipatory Art Teaching Project,’ fostering multigenerational collectives and exhibitions across Ghana that prioritize a democratic and sustainable approach to art. Meanwhile, the Master Programme in Spatial Strategies at Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin focuses on rethinking the concepts of “space” and “publicness” in a rapidly changing world, aiming to expand artistic practices within the social context.

Curated by Elena Agudio and Paz Guevara, with the active participation of Villa Romana Fellow Samuel Baah Kortey, the workshop provided a common space for these student communities to explore and exchange their experimental practices. Drawing from both scholarly and practice-based research, participants examined spatial strategies that could offer alternatives to the current systems of overconsumption, and sought to unlearn exploitation in favor of ecological responsibility and climate justice.

The central room of Villa Romana was dynamically activated by Samuel Baah Kortey, who not only participated in the workshop but also facilitated lectures and discussions, helping bridge the practices of both communities while reflecting on pedagogy and emancipation.

This workshop and the accompanying events exemplified the power of collective agency, alternative learning communities, and radical pedagogies in addressing the pressing ecological and social challenges of our time.

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