Travelogue by Beau Disundi Nzazi

Beau Disundi Nzazi has immersed himself in his artistic residency at AKKA Project in Venice, where he is delving deep into the city’s layered history and cultural heritage. His approach to this residency has been both rigorous and personal. From the outset, Beau has undertaken an in-depth study of Venice, not only through extensive reading but also by visiting the city’s most important museums and historical sites. This dual approach has allowed him to connect the city’s rich past with his own artistic practice, which centers around themes of environment, colonialism, and identity.

At the core of Beau’s initial concept is the idea of narrowness: Venice, to him, is an intimate and labyrinthine space, where the architecture and topography seem to enclose everything. The city feels confined—its canals winding through narrow streets, its buildings tightly pressed together—creating a sense of being both protected and trapped. This atmosphere resonates deeply with Beau’s work, as he explores how confined spaces, whether physical or metaphorical, reflect broader historical and social structures. In this context, Venice becomes the perfect setting for his artistic inquiry, a city whose beauty is intertwined with its sense of enclosure, much like the global systems that once confined and shaped entire cultures.

13 September 2024
  • One place that has captivated Beau during his stay is the Querini Stampalia Library, a majestic institution where history breathes... One place that has captivated Beau during his stay is the Querini Stampalia Library, a majestic institution where history breathes... One place that has captivated Beau during his stay is the Querini Stampalia Library, a majestic institution where history breathes...

    One place that has captivated Beau during his stay is the Querini Stampalia Library, a majestic institution where history breathes from every corner. He was particularly struck by the beauty and scale of the library, where he found several books in his native language, French, offering him a sense of familiarity amidst the foreign. This connection has been crucial in grounding his research.

    Among the texts that resonated most with Beau was "Pietro Querini: Les Naufragés de Röst" by Benjamin Guérif. The book tells the remarkable story of Venetian merchant Pietro Querini, whose shipwreck off the Norwegian island of Røst in 1431 led to the introduction of stoccafisso (stockfish) to Venice. Querini and his crew, after being stranded on the remote island, were rescued by the locals and introduced to the method of drying cod. They later returned to Venice, bringing stoccafisso with them, which soon became a key part of the Venetian economy and cuisine, now known as the 'sacred' baccalà. This narrative of survival and exchange, as well as the transformation of a simple commodity into something of global economic significance, struck a deep chord with Beau, reflecting many of the themes in his own work.

  • Beau’s journey through Venice also led him to visit some of the city's most iconic and historic locations. One memorable... Beau’s journey through Venice also led him to visit some of the city's most iconic and historic locations. One memorable... Beau’s journey through Venice also led him to visit some of the city's most iconic and historic locations. One memorable...
    Beau’s journey through Venice also led him to visit some of the city's most iconic and historic locations. One memorable experience was a guided tour of the sestiere of Rialto, which included a visit to the famous Rialto Fish Market, a cornerstone of Venetian life for centuries. It was here, among the bustling stalls, that Beau had the opportunity to engage with local Venetian fishermen, speaking directly to those who continue the tradition of working with the sea, just as their ancestors had done. This encounter offered Beau a profound insight into the legacy of fish in Venice’s economy and culture, and he discovered how baccalà remains an important part of Venetian culinary tradition.
    Hearing the stories of the fishermen - how they sourced, prepared, and valued fish like baccalà - drew a direct line to Beau’s own ongoing exploration of the commodity’s colonial and economic significance. This conversation with the fishermen connected past and present, reinforcing how products like stockfish continue to symbolize survival, trade, and cultural exchange in a city that has long depended on such networks. The conversations further enriched his understanding of how Venice, both historically and today, is a crossroads where land and sea, local tradition and global forces, converge.
  • Currently, Beau is channeling these reflections into his first finished pieces for the residency. He has sourced stockfish cartons directly... Currently, Beau is channeling these reflections into his first finished pieces for the residency. He has sourced stockfish cartons directly... Currently, Beau is channeling these reflections into his first finished pieces for the residency. He has sourced stockfish cartons directly... Currently, Beau is channeling these reflections into his first finished pieces for the residency. He has sourced stockfish cartons directly...
    Currently, Beau is channeling these reflections into his first finished pieces for the residency. He has sourced stockfish cartons directly from Kinshasa, making them the foundation for his work. On the back of these cartons, Beau has begun to create with pastels, crafting vibrant and symbolic representations of the complex connections between the environment, colonialism, and Venice itself. His artwork traces the invisible lines that link these worlds— how a product like stoccafisso could connect Venice to distant lands like Norway and, indirectly, to places like Kinshasa.
    And there’s still more to come. Beau’s residency is ongoing, and with each passing day, new layers of meaning unfold in his work. As he continues to explore Venice and engage with its history, more pieces will emerge—each one adding to the evolving story of his artistic journey. His time at AKKA Project is an ongoing conversation between past and present, between Venice and Kinshasa, and there is much more to be revealed as his exploration deepens.