Limbo Accra, in collaboration with landscape architect Malthe Mørck Clausen and curator Keshav Anand, has successfully completed its first monumental public landscape project, the Duho Pavilion. Unveiled during the Cayman Carnival, this monumental landscape installation draws inspiration from the ceremonial meditation stools of the indigenous Taino people from the Caribbean.
The Duho stools, integral to Taino culture, served as conduits to access ancestors and realms of the real and imaginary. Set within the landscape of an abandoned building, the pavilion reflects Limbo Accra’s unique approach to engaging with the in-between spaces, entering portals of the liminal, and reimagining anew.
The project site, a ruin overtaken by plant life and non-human species, captivated Limbo Accra’s interest in the intricate interconnections within its ecosystem. Instead of focusing on the concrete shell of the building, they explored the ecological entanglements of the site, integrating these elements into an architectural gesture. The aim was to design a landscape proposal inspired by the legacy of those who came before.
Currently, around 150 Duho artifacts are preserved within private or museum collections. Limbo Accra’s installation features 30 resilient aluminum poles, each representing five displaced Duhos. These poles, measuring 3000mm x 120mm (H × W), create a delicate and subtle balance in movement, blurring the boundaries between the landscape and the pavilion. The mirrored, polished, and exposed poles engage visitors, prompting reflection and contemplation on the past, present, and future of an erased legacy.
The opening event at the Duho Pavilion was a resounding success. Guests experienced a unique sonic performance conceived and produced by Zion Estrada of the Wild Grass Research Practice, blurring the lines between land and performance. Choreographer Chris Emile activated the portal with an intimate ceremonial movement performance. Additionally, visitors explored a reading and study room titled “Field Notes 001 – Posture, Transmission, Land – Grand Cayman” by Wild Grass Research Practice in collaboration with Library Fetish. This space presented research that informed the Duho Pavilion, Caribbean spatial history, spirituality, and our relationship with the land.
The Duho Pavilion, commissioned by Palm Heights, is the latest addition to Limbo Accra’s practice of creating public spaces in derelict sites. It honors Taino culture while revitalizing the surrounding vegetation and environment, transforming it into a space of reflection and engagement for the Palm Heights community and the residents of the Cayman Islands. The Pavilion is expected to relocate to various sites throughout its lifespan, continuing to engage with the diverse typologies across the Cayman Islands.
Designed by Limbo Accra and curated by Keshav Anand, the Duho Pavilion stands as a testament to the profound connection between architecture, ecology, and cultural heritage, offering a space for contemplation and community interaction.
