BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2023

BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2023

June 2023-Barcelona, Spain.

BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2023

Lasting six months, the 18th international architecture exhibition opened to the public on 20 May & will be on view until 26 November; it takes place in disparate spaces, such as the Giardini della Biennale, the green lung housing the historic national pavilions, the Arsenale, the city’s traditional naval dockyards, and the historic setting of the former military fort Forte Marghera in Mestre.

The theme of this edition, ‘the laboratory of the future’, invites architects & professionals from the international scene to reflect on the search for real answers to the pressing demands of our global present in terms of the consequences of climate change (environmental protection), decarbonisation, water, housing or the independence of natural resources between countries. For example, with its project ‘Fertile Futures’ taking place at the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, the Portuguese representation focuses on the future of the water management par excellence.

Founded in 1895 as an international art exhibition, the Biennale di Venezia, from 2022 curated by Ghanaian-Scottish architect Lesley Lokko, who points out that if you want to build a better world, you must first imagine it, puts its focus on the visibility of global engagement & actions with a sincere aim, that we react & reflect. This year’s exhibition focuses on the fight against climate change by promoting a more sustainable model for life. The event invites the global community from all sectors involved to consider the African continent as one of the central players of the future with the participation of emerging artists & renowned architects.

The show, which welcomes more than 85 actors, has more than 100 years of history & represents an unparalleled summit in the world. Its Chairman, Roberto Cicutto, claims the Biennale also addresses substantive questions on social considerations because, as with all editions of the International Film Festival & the International Art Exhibition (both also held in Venice), it always acts as a focal point for a showcase of talent, trends & ideals. Thus, the Holy See returns with its own pavilion at San Giorgio Maggiore island, and the Swiss & Venezuelan pavilions share a wall.

With the imperative of generating clean energy & the harsh realities on displaced populations, who can live for years in temporary settlements, the ‘Essential Homes’ affordable housing research project is presented in the gardens of Marinaressa. Through a collaboration between the Norman Foster Foundation & Holcim, architect Norman Foster & Jan Jenisch, Holcim’s Chairman & CEO, are showing a life-size prototype of a prefabricated igloo-shaped refugee house measuring 36 m² with an approximate price of 19,000.00 euros per unit. Joining it, its creative development & construction solutions displays at the Palazzo Mora. Energy-efficient, low-carbon, and with concrete roll-up roof, this whole initiative began years ago & is in line with the eternal premise of the right to sustainable emergency low-cost housing.

Commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation & supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture & Youth, the permanent UAE Pavilion at the Arsenale posts its fifth consecutive year of participation. With its ‘Aridly Abundant’ exhibition, they aim to change the way the rest of the world see their dry areas & their opportunities if transformed into resource-rich land.  ‘Qatar Creates’ also reveals the plans Qatar Museums is developing in Qatar & showcases the future generation of five monumental cultural venues through a multimedia documentary showing called ‘Building a Creative Nation’ at the majestic ACP Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, including an array of models, images, renderings & immersive content, among other elements. All in collaboration with world-renowned architecture & engineering offices such as OMA, Herzog & de Meuron, Elemental, Philippe Starck & UNStudio.

Every year, on the occasion of the Biennale & the birthday of my husband & partner, I spend a few days in Venice each June. I must admit that this city captures my heart & I usually cool off in the sweltering heat by taking a seat on a hotel terrace in a palace that catches my eye & allows me to flow with the moment, because there are expositions held in other locations in the historic city. For those who appreciate architecture & contemporary art, there is a wide variety of all kinds of presentations & you will always find out an art work, an imposing exhibition that moves you & makes you think. And I discover this process every year.

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