As part of the 13th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, the Collateral Event TRACES OF CENTURIES & FUTURE STEPS presents 57 architects from 6 continents, representing 26 countries, brought together in an extraordinary combination with each other as well as with the Chinese artist Ying Tianqi.
TRACES OF CENTURIES & FUTURE STEPS shows current developments and thoughts in international architecture. An international group of architects with different cultural backgrounds and who are in different stages of their careers, i.e. established architects next to architects whose works might be less known. What they have in common is their dedication to architecture in the broadest sense of their profession. “Architecture” is therefore highlighted from unusual points of view. The exhibition is organized by the Global Art Affairs Foundation.
This exhibition is held at Venice’s prestigious Palazzo Bembo, by Rialto Bridge on Canal Grande. The exhibition shows works, concepts, research results, dreams and ideas, either site-specific, especially made for this exhibition or coming directly from the architect’s studio. The 32 rooms in Palazzo Bembo present a wide range of individual approaches in strong statements, covering a broad variety of media, such as: videos, models, photos, entire room installations, sound - and light installations and even a bridge over the courtyard.
TRACES OF CENTURIES & FUTURE STEPS aims to enlarge the spectator’s awareness for his/her own personal existence as a human being within a specific space and time. For example, on the first floor of Palazzo Bembo, the Chinese artist Ying Tianqi presents “Traces of Centuries”. In his profoundly perceptive Oriental way, he places history in a contemporary context, which enables to imagine beyond space and time. Ying Tianqi’s presentation is co-curated by Wang Lin and Valeria Iacovelli. On the second floor of Palazzo Bembo, amongst others, the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki with the Administrative Committee of Zhengdong New District presents “Future Steps” by showing an installation of the Urban Development Project of Zhengzhou city in China.
The following architects have been invited to participate in the exhibition: 3DeLuxe (DEU); Altiplano (COL); Architecture and Vision (ITA + CHE); Architecture for Humanity (USA); Emre Arolat (TUR); Men Duri Arquint (CHE); Esteban Bondone (ARG); Louise Braverman (USA); Michael Burch Architects (USA); casaPública (MEX); Paolo Cesaretti + Antonella Dedini (ITA); Can Çinici (TUR); Keila Costa & Carol Tonetti (BRA); Asgeir Damman (NOR); DeGang Wang (CHN); Di Vece Arquitectos (MEX); Fausto Ferrara (ITA); Petra Gipp & Kim Hedås (SWE); Ernst Giselbrecht (AUT); Cesare Griffa (ITA); Barbara Holzer & Tristan Kobler (CHE); Joel Huffman (USA); KAMJZ (POL); Jae Kyung Kim (ROK) & Yao Zhang (CHN); Akira Koyama + Key Operation Inc. / Architects (JPN); Lab'process (FRA-ROU) + bozin szekely architects (ROU); LEAP + MTQ (MEX); Piero Lissoni (ITA); Graeme Mann & Patricia Capua Mann + Ueli Brauen & Doris Wälchli (CHE); Manthey Kula (NOR); Takasaki Masaharu (JPN); Josep Lluís Mateo (ESP); Pieter J Mathews (ZAF); Rodolphe Mertens (LUX); Ivica Mladjenovic (SRB); Ian Moore (AUS); Paul Morgan (AUS); Nabito Architects & Partners s.l. (ITA); PLANT (CAN); Elías Rizo (MEX); Frank Salama (FRA); SDeG (IND); Luca Selva (CHE); Johann Slee (ZAF); SPRB + ARS˚ (MEX); studiomobile (ITA); Studio Velocity (JPN); Todd Sweet & Jerry Sparkman + Ringling College of Art and Design (USA); Simon Twose + Andrew Barrie (NZL); Yasutaka Yoshimura (JPN); Administrative Committee of Zhengdong New District (CHN) + Arata Isozaki (JPN)
The Collateral Event TRACES OF CENTURIES & FUTURE STEPS at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, takes place from 29 August until 25 November 2012. A 192-pages exhibition catalogue, containing the thoughts of the exhibitors and images of their recent works, will be available.