RELE LAGOS 2.0

The project is the second collaboration between MOE+Art Architecture and RELE gallery. MOE+ designed the inaugural Rele gallery at Onikan, Lagos and have worked on the new Rele space in Los Angeles.

The proposal turns the former residential building on Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi into a series of large gallery spaces over two levels, with offices and utilities.

We have always been curious about how to rethink public spaces and spaces that speak to our creative commons. The conceptual idea for the project followed the walk from the previous site, which was at the heart of a frayed Lagos Island, to the new site within the quiet, upper-class neighbourhood of Ikoyi.

Many of the streets along the route were filled with this unfinished ‘edge’ that feel very familiar in the city, all lurking, ‘under-prepared’ waiting for transition. Here elements, left over and part forgotten seem always ready for repurposing. We picked up iron bars, nails, discarded paving stones, blocks, pieces of glass, mirrors and we made our way to the new location

This conceptual approach resonated with the programming of the new gallery as a place for artistic exploration, a place for young contemporary artists, many at the starts of their careers, themselves, works in progress.

ClientRele LagosProject TypeArchitecture LocationLagos, NigeriaYear2022