olafur eliasson and francis kéré among the 2023 praemium imperiale winners

the 2023 Praemium Imperiale laureates

Pritzker Prize architect Diébédo Francis Kéré has been announced as the 2023 Praemium Imperiale laureate in architecture. This annual honor, presented by the Japan Art Association, recognizes contributions across various artistic disciplines, including architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and theatre or film. Francis Kéré, the leader of Kéré Architecture based in Berlin, has been recognized for his significant impact on African and global architecture. His innovative approach involves collaborating with local communities and utilizing site-specific materials to develop creative design and engineering solutions.

This year, the award goes to Berlin twice, as in addition to Kéré, the global prize in the category sculpture was won by the environmental activist and installation artist Olafur Eliasson, who also works in Berlin. Eliasson’s work is renowned for its immersive and experimental nature, often combining elements of art, science, and environmental consciousness. His art aims to alter perception and inspire awareness while evoking a sense of wonder. The three remaining award recipients, all hailing from the USA, include Robert Wilson, recognized in the theater/film category; Wynton Marsalis, acclaimed for his musical talents as a composer and trumpeter; and Vija Celmins, celebrated for her achievements in the field of painting.

at the Kéré Architecture studio, Berlin, May 2023 © The Japan Art Association / The Sankei Shimbun

Francis Kéré wins the 2023 Imperiale Award in Architecture

Born on April 10, 1965, in Gando, Burkina Faso, Diébédo Francis Kéré has revolutionized architecture not only in Burkina Faso but throughout Africa and beyond. Growing up in Gando, where he experienced inadequate, suffocating classrooms, Kéré’s determination to create better-designed buildings led him to become an architect. After training in Germany and earning an architecture degree in Berlin in 2004, he founded the Kéré Architecture studio. He was resolute in providing his village with a climate-appropriate school, despite initial resistance to unconventional building methods.

Kéré’s architecture prioritizes simplicity, local community involvement, and sustainable design, incorporating traditional building materials with modern aesthetics. His work, including the award-winning Gando Primary School, reflects his commitment to quality and cultural representation. Kéré has undertaken community-focused projects across Africa and internationally and is currently designing the new National Assembly of Benin, blending African traditions with modern architecture. In 2022, he became the first African architect to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, and till now, he continues to inspire with his innovative and culturally rich architectural vision.

Tippet Rise Pavilion © Kéré Architecture, image by Iwan Baan

olafur eliasson receives the 2023 Imperiale Award in sculpture

Olafur Eliasson, born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 5, 1967, is a renowned artist whose work revolves around natural elements like color, light, water, and ice. Currently residing in Berlin and Copenhagen, Eliasson’s upbringing in Denmark and Iceland deeply influenced his commitment to environmental issues. His early works are ephemeral and poetic, relying on the observer to co-produce the experience.

Eliasson gained international recognition with The Weather Project at the Tate Modern in London in 2003, attracting over two million visitors by creating the illusion of a giant sun using light. Eliasson’s belief in art’s power to drive societal change is evident in his work on projects like the solar energy lamp Little Sun. In 2019, he was appointed a ‘goodwill ambassador’ for the United Nations Development Program, focusing on climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals. Eliasson’s art and activism continue to make a significant impact on both the art world and global environmental awareness.