Taji Ra’oof Nahl (TR7) is an autodidact and conceptual visual artist who builds civic and contemplative infrastructures through sculpture, sound, moving image, and philosophical inquiry. HiveChronicles extends his ongoing Calculating Banneker series, exploring bees as models of stewardship, intelligence, and collective continuity. During the residency, Nahl will study Rome’s apiaries, papal bee iconography, and ancient apiculture alongside Qur’anic teachings in Surah An-Nahl, creating site-responsive sculptures, field recordings, and moving-image works. Through his frameworks—Renaissance Report Live, Micro Film Festival, and the Video Almanac—he will translate ecological and spiritual inquiry into participatory forms, engaging scholars and beekeepers within the Academy’s multidisciplinary community.

The photograph of Taji Nahl was taken by Randy Burton.