A transformative experience

Young Lebanese-Armenian architect Arine Aprahamian is inspired to create buildings that are innovative, affordable and sustainable. Her philosophy sits well with French Pritzker-Prize winning architect Anne Lacaton, who espouses building renewal over demolition. During their collaboration, they discussed a theoretical project on the reintegration of abandoned buildings in Beirut’s Bourj Hammoud quarter.

Young Filipino filmmaker Rafael Manuel collaborated for two years with acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhang-Ke through the Rolex mentoring programme. Manuel won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival for his short film Filipiñana. He is now working on his first features: a longer version of Filipiñana and Patrimonio.

After her studies in the US, Ayesha Harruna Attah returned to Africa with a mission to write African stories for African readers. Five books later, she is ambitious for a wider readership. Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo is advising her on how to bridge the gap between her remote life in Senegal and the opportunities available in international publishing hubs.

For five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves, the best way to mentor South Korean jazz composer and singer Song Yi Jeon was to invite her to perform with her band. Song Yi Jeon joined her on two European tours and in the process developed a much deeper understanding of herself as an artist.

El Anatsui and South African artist Bronwyn Katz share an interest in reinventing discarded materials to provide a reflection on humanity, history and the planet. Contributing to renewing the world is the most important responsibility of an artist, says the distinguished Ghanaian sculptor.