Kusasa

This summer through fall, Kusasa will open its doors to a space dedicated to the future. "Kusasa" means "tomorrow" in Sesotho, implying the future. In the coming months, this venue will serve as a gallery for artists, providing a space for community events and workshops.

The contemporary art scene in Switzerland is undergoing a transformation, with new needs being met through various projects across the country. Kusasa in Zurich aims to address these needs in the cultural landscape, shaping and connecting the future.

At Kusasa, we focus on the contemporary art scene of the afro & indegenous diaspora and hope to create more inclusive art spaces that cater to individual needs. The diaspora of today shapes tomorrow.

Culinaria Series 

Culinaria is a personal idea I conceived one year ago. I want to create home-cooked dishes for my friends and relatives to foster connection. I've observed that many creatives are using food as an artistic practice to convey ideas about coming together, sharing, and rethinking the concept of food and nourishment. Numerous projects and ideas focus on making food free and accessible, from validating food through monetary means to supporting agriculture and farmers. Community gardens, where food is grown and cooked collectively, also embody this vision.

Kusasa aligns with this concept through its unique circumstances and vision. We aim to invite contemporary members of the diaspora—food designers, entrepreneurs, mothers, fathers, grandparents—who often transition from their cultural roots to a diaspora identity. In restaurants, you may enjoy a good meal, but the creation, preparation, and engagement with food in the way the chefs intend is rare. We open every second Sunday for Culinaria practices, offering the privilege to delve deeper into the stories behind the chosen meals.

Food is history; food identity is powerful, becoming iconic representations of peoples and places. Through the Culinaria series, we want to showcase the practices and habits of dishes and the constellation of individuals we host.



do•ing•guan•du•le
desgranar guandules

practice Desgranar guandules involves removing the guandules from their pods to prepare them for lunch. Often, it is a communal practice that includes various family/ community members working together. "Ven, vamo a degrana lo guandule".
"Come on, let's shell the peas".

Text by @nitidanicee

The Qube

A Mobile Gallery Suitable For Any Location. Through The Qube, one of my favorite projects, I ventured into the world of event project work. It goes beyond just developing design concepts. From conceiving ideas to executing them through various events, I had the opportunity to shape this project. At the age of 18/19, I pondered how, as a young designer, I could make a public presence and secure funding for the realization. While there are numerous galleries for young cultural creators yet to establish themselves, organizing an exhibition is often an insurmountable challenge. To ensure accessibility for all and maintain artistic freedom, we conceived the idea that the physical framework is the only constraint within the concept. This allows us to be versatile in what we display. I curated the artists and supported them in the development of their projects. The first event was an impromptu street exhibition at a small house festival in Basel. The first significant event with a larger audience took place at the Basel Youth Culture Festival, followed by a pop-up event for a bookshop during Christmas.


Contributions:
Initiator 
Concept Project
Courator 
Graphic Design by Noon Selina Marrero & me
Event Photography by Nathalie Victoria Gallus