Duho Pavilion

On the occasion of Cayman Carnival July 2024, Limbo Accra, in partnership with Palm Heights and curator Keshav Anand, unveiled the Duho Pavilion, a monumental landscape installation inspired by the ceremonial meditation stools of the indigenous Taino people from the Caribbean. These Duho stools were integral to Taino culture, serving as conduits to access ancestors and realms of the real and imaginary. Set within the landscape of the abandoned building, the concept of the pavilion is rooted in Limbo’s approach to engaging with the in-between, entering portals of the liminal, and reimagining anew.

This ruin, overtaken by plant life and non-human agents, piqued Limbo’s curiosity about the intricate interconnections within its ecosystem. Rather than engaging with the concrete shell of the building, as they normally would, they sought to understand the ecological entanglements of this site and how to integrate this into an architectural gesture. The goal was to design a nature-oriented spatial proposal, drawing inspiration from those that came before.

Today, an estimated 150 Duho artifacts remain preserved within private or museum collections. In a profound yet delicate gesture, they have erected 30 aluminum poles, each symbolizing five displaced Duhos.

The material choice serves as a powerful reminder, prompting reflection and contemplation on the past, present and future of an erased legacy. The Duho Pavilion stands as the newest edition to Limbo Accra practice of creating public spaces in derelict sites. Measuring 3000 mm x 120 mm, the mirrored, polished and exposed poles engage with visitors by creating a delicate and subtle balance in movement, blurring the boundaries between the landscape and the pavilion.

The Duho Pavilion integrates land art and landscape architecture to create a new form of public space. The installation not only honors Taino culture but also revitalizes the surrounding vegetation and environment, transforming the land into a space of public engagement for the Palm Heights community and the residents of the Cayman Islands. The Pavilion will relocate to various sites throughout its lifespan, continuing to engage with the diverse typologies across the island.

The opening event at the Duho Pavilion was a 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 enjoyed 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, set within the skeleton of the abandoned Hyatt structure, presented research that informed about the Duho Pavilion, Caribbean spatial history, spirituality, and the relationship with the land.