Afaina de Jong

Unruly Process is the first retrospective exhibition of architect, designer and educator Afaina de Jong’s solo and collaborative work. It’s a moment to bring her projects from across disciplines together, to understand what—and who—has shaped her practice over the past 21 years. And an exploration of how her practice might unfold in the years to come. From this exhibition, an architecture laboratory and call to action will take form later in the year. The exhibition is curated by Maia Kenney and is made possible in part by the Creative Industries Fund, the Abe Bonnema Foundation, and the Culture Fund. Graphic design by Ise Weijer @allesisey Location: Van Eesteren Museum - Noordzijde 31, 1064 GV Amsterdam Date: May 29, 2026 Time: 18:00 – 20:00 Program 17:30 – Doors open 18:00 – Welcome address by Afaina de Jong, Maia Kenney, and Jorn Konijn (Director of the Van Eesteren Museum) 18:30 – Exhibition opening (with drinks and snacks) 18:30 – 20:30 – Vinyl sets by Orpheu the Wizard and Innavisions

Last week to see my scenography for Beyond Surrealism at the Depot Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Photography: @nataschalibbert Graphic design: @celinewouters #scenography #Rotterdam #surrealism #

Contextual Design examines how design operates within cultural, social, and political contexts. Objects, spaces, and technologies are understood as nodes within larger networks of power, history, and identity. Students question their authorship by learning to analyze the environments in which their work appears and the positions they occupy within them, and develop the tools required to transform critique into material propositions. The programme supports the development of a reflective practice that understands design as an intervention within existing cultural frameworks and discursive contexts, with a critical perspective on how to transform the spaces in which design circulates. Student projects: 1. Natali Aguirre Montaña @natali.aguirre.mo 2. Derrick Crichlow @d_crichlow 3. Mijali Posada Polydorides @mijaliposada 4. Phoebe Zoe Ho @itsphorreal 5. Teresa Fernandez-Pello @tfpello 6. Shai Ben-Ami and Charles Weinberg @weinbenami ✨The Master’s programmes at Design Academy Eindhoven support students in defining their own position within contemporary design. All programmes are designed to equip students with the tools they require to develop a unique methodology and practice. While the programmes share a fundamental assumption that design is social, contextual, informational, critical, and planetary, the emphases of each program are differently weighted, and each has a distinct pedagogical approach. 🗓️The final deadline for applications to our Masters courses is 30 March. Have any final questions before submitting? You can join us at the final Meet the Masters session on 20 March (link in bio)! Graphics by @susanna.tomassini

Early Gaze at FOMU in Antwerp @fomuantwerp on show until 01.03.2026 The exhibition EARLY GAZE documents the rise and development of photography in 19th-century Belgium. The invention of photography did not only bring technological novelty, but also changed the way we see ourselves and the world. What began as a marvel of innovation quickly expanded into an instrument for control and image-building.  EARLY GAZE illustrates that from the very start, photography was not a neutral registration of reality but a powerful instrument that helped shape the story of the ruling class.   Exhibition design: AFARAI / Afaina de Jong Graphic Design: Celine Wouters Conservatoren FOMU: Tamara Berghmans & Ingrid Leonard. Assistent Curator: Sonia Mutaganzwa @soniia.dorcas

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛 (ERL) Interface: This fall, The Embodied Restoration Lab presented for the first time the pilot model of the Embodied Restoration Lab’s collective reasoning ecosystem at the Speakers’ Corner in the Arsenale during the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale. The Embodied Restoration Lab is a design initiative by architect Afaina de Jong that explores the redefinition of values between architecture, ecology and diasporic knowledge through the framework of algorithmic systems design. The ERL collective ecosystem of generative algorithmic models is grounded in the archives of a diasporic community of architects, designers, artists and data scientists in an effort to exchange and transfer collective knowledge into a distributed systems ecology of generative algorithmic intelligence. The ERL interface, developed in collaboration with YP Yuanpu Wang, Simon Dirks and Jo Kroese, brings the ecosystem of decentralized AI to life. The interface invites users to type in a prompt, which leads to “Auntie AI” orchestrating a conversation, weaving together the multiple contributor Large Language Models (LLM) that are relevant to the topic. Each contributor LLM has been personally trained with the archive of its respective contributor, consisting of materials including writings, artworks, collages and photos. This results in almost lifelike conversations with both texts and images, between the knowledge present within the archives and practices of the ERL contributors. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 ERL Team interface and Pilot model: YP Yuangpu Wang @yp_yuanpu Afaina de Jong @afainadejong Simon Dirks Radical Data @radicaldata ERL Contributors: Iyo Bisseck @bisiyo , Curry J. Hackett @curryhackett , Khensani Jurczok - De Klerk @khensani_jurczok.deklerk , Marga Weimans @margaweimans , Lesego Bantsheng @le.banshe Interlocutor: Pinar Sefkatli @pinarsefkatli Photos: Clelia Cadamuro @cleliacadamuro With the generous support of rearc institute @rearc.institute and the Stimuleringsfonds @stimuleringsfonds

Kinship Library – de highlights! 🤩 Op 9 november vertrekt Kinship Library van @AfainadeJong van de NDSM-werf — een mooi moment om kort terug te blikken op dit bijzondere architectonische werk. Vanaf de opening nodigde het bezoekers uit om stil te staan en te luisteren; vanaf de pont was het opvallend zichtbaar en trok het meteen de aandacht. De verhalen en opnames, gemaakt door @stratenmakers.collectief , blijven bewaard en leven verder in het NDSM online archief. Ook ontving Afaina de Jong dit jaar de Amsterdamprijs voor de Kunst 2025 in de categorie Bewezen Kwaliteit. Tot slot stelde onze NDSM Young Curator @Fayo.said een speciaal programma samen voor Museumnacht met Kinship Library als decor. Bezoek het werk deze week nog of lees en luister meer via de link in bio! Mede mogelijk gemaakt door: @afk020 , @mondriaanfonds , @afainadejong , @stratenmakers.collectief , @petraheck01 //ENG Kinship Library – the highlights! 🤩 On 9 November, Kinship Library by @AfainadeJong will leave the NDSM Wharf — a moment to look back at this remarkable architectural work. From the start, it invited visitors to pause and listen; visible from the ferry, it instantly caught people’s attention. The stories and recordings by @stratenmakers.collectief will remain in the NDSM online archive. This year, Afaina de Jong received the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts 2025 in the category Proven Quality. During Museumnacht, our NDSM Young Curator @Fayo.said created a special programme with Kinship Library as its setting. Visit it this week while you can, or read and listen more via the link in bio! Made possible by: @afk020 , @mondriaanfonds , @afainadejong , @stratenmakers.collectief , @petraheck01 #KinshipLibrary #AfainadeJong #NDSM #AmsterdamArt #PublicArt #Museumnacht #TemporaryArt

On Friday October 31 the Embodied Restoration Lab will present at the Speakers’ Corner in the Arsenale during the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale. The two-part public program will share for the first time the pilot model of the Embodied Restoration Lab’s collective reasoning ecosystem. This ecosystem of generative algorithmic models is grounded in the thinking and archives of a diasporic community of architects , designers, artists and data scientists in a collective effort to exchange and transfer collective knowledge into a distributed systems ecology of generative algorithmic intelligence. 11:00 - 13:00 Session 1 - Synchronizing the Diaspora - Introduction to the Embodied Restoration Lab and the distributed systems ecology of generative ai models. - - - - - - - Raising Archives Collectively with Afaina de Jong, Radical Data, Iyo Bisseck, Khensani Jurczok-de Klerk, Marga Weimans, Curry J. Hackett and Lesego Bantsheng. - Collective training session with the distributed reasoning ecosystem of the Embodied Restoration Lab. 15:00 - 17:00 Session 2 - Ecology of Kinship Panel Moderated by Dr. Ramon Amaro (Design Academy Eindhoven) with Afaina de Jong (AFARAI), Radical Data, Iyo Bisseck (Dreaming Beyond AI), Marga Weimans, Curry J. Hackett, Khensani Jurczok-de Klerk (Matri-Archi), Lesego Bantsheng (Rural Futurisms). @radical.data @bisiyo @khensani_jurczok.deklerk @margaweimans @curryhackett @le.banshe Interlocutors: Yuanpu Wang & Pinar Sefkatli Made possible with the generous support of rearc institute and the Dutch Creative Industries Fund.

Afaina de Jong wint de Amsterdamprijs voor de Kunst 2025! We feliciteren architect en maker Afaina de Jong (@afainadejong ) van harte met het winnen van de Amsterdamprijs voor de Kunst in de categorie Bewezen Kwaliteit — een erkenning voor haar unieke manier van werken, waarin ze verhalen, culturen en subculturen vormgeeft die in de traditionele architectuur vaak onzichtbaar blijven. Een bijzonder voorbeeld van haar werk is Kinship Library, een architectonische installatie die op dit moment te zien is op de NDSM-werf. Ben je benieuwd naar haar werk? Kom dan snel langs. Kinship Library is tot 9 november te zien. Kinship Library is meer dan een luisterervaring — het is een levend archief van verbondenheid, herinnering en stedelijke cultuur. Te zien en te beluisteren op de NDSM-werf (tegenover NDSM Bikes), dagelijks tussen 10.00 en 20.00 uur. //ENG Afaina de Jong wins the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts 2025! We warmly congratulate architect and maker Afaina de Jong (@afainadejong ) on winning the Amsterdam Prize for the Arts in the category Proven Quality — a recognition of her unique approach to architecture, in which she gives form to stories, cultures, and subcultures that often remain unseen in traditional architectural practice. A special example of her work is Kinship Library, an architectural installation currently on view at the NDSM Wharf. Curious to experience her work? Visit soon — Kinship Library is on display until 9 November. Kinship Library is more than a listening experience — it is a living archive of connection, memory, and urban culture. You can visit and listen daily between 10:00 and 20:00 at the NDSM Wharf (opposite NDSM Bikes). 📷 1. Koosje Koolbergen @kokiekje 📷 2. Gert Jan van Rooij @gertjanvanrooij Made possible by: @afk020 , @mondriaanfonds , @afainadejong en @petraheck01 #NDSM #AfainadeJong #AmsterdamprijsvoordeKunst #KinshipLibrary #PublicArt #AmsterdamCulture

Michelangelo and Men - Teylers museum. On show from 15/10 until 25/01. Behind the scenes. #michelangelo #teylersmuseum #exhibitiondesign #spatialdesign #afarai #afainadejong #michelangeloandmen

Michelangelo and Men - Teylers museum. On show from 15/10 until 25/01. The starting point for the exhibition design was the notion of queer space. Queer, described by bell hooks, as meaning being at odds with everything around it and having to invent and create and find a place to thrive and to live.’ To queer the spatial design in which Michelangelo’s work and his relationship to the male body is shown meant moving away from linearity, normativity and to embrace ambiguity. #michelangelo #teylersmuseum #exhibitiondesign #spatialdesign #afarai #afainadejong #michelangeloandmen

PODCAST | Episode 3: RESTORATIVE PRACTICES. In this episode of STOKVEL, we spend time thinking about restoration and return. Restorative Practices call us to reflect on and situate ourselves within the the constellations we creatively exist in. We ask ourselves to share the geography — be it cultural, imaginary or physical — we belong and return to in order to to recover, restore and rejuvenate? Further, how do we water and feed those geographies? We insist to privilidge the ways of being we’ve seen, experienced and created that go beyond transaction. These are all questions orbiting reciprocity. Featuring: Afaina de Jong (@afainadejong ) and Danielle Harris (@taktil ) link in bio! Creative direction + host: Khensani Jurczok-de Klerk (@khensani_jurczok.deklerk ) Jingle: Under Pressure Sundays – Bonolo Thomas (@underpresh ) Sound post-production: Neo Twala (@_twala ) Graphic design: Emma Kouassi (@emma.affoua.kouassi ) Typeface: Ronald by Samara Keller (@keller_samara ) Hosted in collaboration with Kunsthalle Bern (@kunsthallebern ) STOKVEL season 1 is made possible with the generous support of Pro Helvetia Swiss Art Council (@prohelvetia ) and the Südkulturfonds (@artlink.ch ) #STOKVELBern #BernEvents #ArtInBern #KunsthalleBern #BernCulture #CollectiveCare #CreativeFellowship #GatherAndGrow #CommunityMatters #ArtAndArchitecture #MatriArchi #DesignForChange #FutureOfCollaboration #CareInPractice #ReimaginingSpaces

munity and @architecturequidegenre are thrilled to announce Afaina de Jong as the keynote speaker at the Feminist Architecture Assembly, taking place in Belgium on November 28. With her keynote 'Teacher don’t teach me Nonsense (After Fela Kuti's song from 1986)', Afaina opens a full day of conversation that brings together different generations of architects, spatial practitioners, researchers, students and activists working on the transformation of architecture and spatial practice from feminist values. @afainadejong is a Dutch architect based in Amsterdam. Her studio AFARAI has worked for renowned institutions as the Rijksmuseum, the Venice Biennale, the Gogh Museum and the United Nations. De Jong works on the boundary of architecture and art. Her work is deeply connected to represent people and cultural movements that are not traditionally represented in spatial form. De Jong situates her work in the public realm as part of the collective imaginary. Her discourse is international and intersectional, connecting art and counterculture with space. De Jong is the head of the Contextual Design MA department at Design Academy Eindhoven and has lectured at Columbia University GSAPP in New York, KTH in Stockholm and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. Want to stay updated about the Feminist Architecture Assembly on 28th November 2025? Fill in the form on our website (#linkinbio) More details about the Feminist Architecture Assembly coming very soon! ©picture - Laila Cohen