Everything about the 17th International Architecture Exhibition

The exhibition organized by the Venice Biennale has the title “How will we live together?” originally scheduled for May, it will be held from 29 August to 29 November 2020

The International Architecture Exhibition reaches its 17th edition, from Saturday 29 August (preview Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August) until Sunday 29 November, instead of the original schedule of 23 May to 29 November. Venice hosts the show entitled How will we live together? curated by Hashim Sarkis, organized by the Venice Biennale directed by Paolo Baratta.

Arsenale, Photo by © Andrea Avezzù, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Arsenale, Photo by © Andrea Avezzù, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

Baratta outlines the features of the exhibition held in the Padiglione Centrale and the Giardini, the Arsenale and Forte Marghera, including 114 participants from 46 countries: “Hashim Sarkis captures the structural problems of contemporary society. He observes – and we with him – that, in every corner of the world, phenomena of intense change are underway; they all differ but what they share is a need for important ‘adjustments’ in living conditions. Thus, the gaze of the curator and the Exhibition ranges even further afield. Architecture becomes the reference point of a vast interdisciplinary commitment and of a vast cultural and political commitment.”

Hashim Sarkis, Photo by © Jacopo Salvi, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Hashim Sarkis, Photo by © Jacopo Salvi, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

The Architecture Biennale 2020 “asserts the vital role of the architect as both cordial convener and custodian of the spatial contract,” the curator Hashim Sarkis says, then stating: “In parallel, Biennale Architettura 2020 also maintains that it is in its material, spatial, and cultural specificity that architecture inspires the ways we live together. In that respect, we ask the participants to highlight those aspects of the main theme that are uniquely architectural.”

Every two years, the event becomes more international. Grenada, Iraq and Uzbekistan make their debut this time around, joining a total of 60 other participating countries. There are many initiatives, including the Special Project at the Pavilion of Applied Arts, now at its 5th edition and presented by the Venice Biennale and the Victoria and Albert Museum, titled British Mosques. Padiglione Italia at the Tese delle Vergini in the Arsenale, supported by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity, will be curated by Alessandro Melis.

Corderie, Photo by © Giulio Squillacciotti, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Corderie, Photo by © Giulio Squillacciotti, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

The program also covers events for young people. For the 11th year the Biennale dedicates the project Biennale Sessions to universities, academies and institutes of higher learning, while the Educational activities continue, with guided tours and workshops for individuals and groups of students, children, adults and families.

Gaggiandre, Photo by © Andrea Avezzù, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Gaggiandre, Photo by © Andrea Avezzù, Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia