Visitors stand in the Danish Pavilion of the 13th Venice Biennale on August 28, 2012 in Venice, which houses the “Possible Greenland” exhibition curated by Greenlandic geologist Minik Rosing. — AFP Photo

VENICE: Architects from around the world have converged on Venice for the Biennale show which opens on Wednesday, showcasing designs aimed at bringing urban designs more in touch with the general public.

The renovation of working class areas, designs for times of economic crisis and the reconstruction of cities following natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis have taken centre stage at the world's largest architecture fair.

The designs housed in the spectacular Arsenale - an old naval shipyard and military base - and the nearby Giardini park on the lagoon include some by leading architects including Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid and Renzo Piano.

“The crux is to mend the fracture between architecture and civil society,”Biennale president Paolo Baratta said.

This year's theme is “Common Ground” - intended as interaction between architects and the population as well as between designers themselves.

The exhibition has been designed by British architect David Chipperfield - most famous for his work on MuseumIsland in Berlin - and spreads out over 10,000 square metres (107,600 square feet) with a total of 119 participants.

Among the most eye-catching projects is the installation by Japan's Kazuyo Sejima for the reconstruction of Mijato-jima island, which was destroyed by the tsunami last year - a theme which is echoed by the Japanese pavilion.

Visitors stand in the Danish Pavilion of the 13th Venice Biennale on August 28, 2012 in Venice. — AFP Photo

Chile decked out its pavilion to look like the inside of a salt mine, importing 11 tons of salt from the Tarapaca mine especially for the show.

Russia went hi-tech with its pavilion, where visitors are handed an iPad to view an exhibition accessible only through barcodes that can be scanned.

Italy chose to celebrate its history of innovation with a show that goes back to the work of technology pioneer Adriano Olivetti in the post-war period.

The Greek pavilion meanwhile invites visitors to reflect on the transformation of public buildings and spaces during the economic crisis.

One of the novelties this year is the Mexican pavilion outside the 16th century deconsecrated church of San Lorenzo which has been granted to Mexico as its cultural hub for the next nine years on condition that it pays for repairs.

The fair, which runs until November 25, hosts a total of 55 countries taking part including several newcomers like Angola, Kosovo, Kuwait and Peru.

Visitors stand in the Danish Pavilion of the 13th Venice Biennale on August 28, 2012 in Venice. — AFP Photo

Among other renowned architects showcasing their designs are Jean Nouvel from France, Peter Eisenman from the United States and Ai Weiwei from China.

For weary visitors, the architecture collective “Urban Think Tank” has set up a replica of a typical Venezuela roadside shack with neon signs, pumping salsa music and unfinished walls that serves up genuine Latin American fare.

The curator of the official Venezuelan pavilion said she did not approve.

“It is an interesting idea but it distorts reality because it is a reductive vision,” Adreina Agusti told AFP, as she showed off an exhibition of social housing projects planned by the government of President Hugo Chavez.

The “Urban Think Tank” is also behind an exhibit on the theme of a “vertical favela” examining the squatting of the Torre de David in Caracas after it was abandoned by a bank, showing a community full of life and creativity.

Festival organisers on Wednesday also awarded a lifetime achievement award to Alvaro Siza Vieira, famous for works such as the Boa Nova Tea House and the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in his home town of Oporto in Portugal.

“Siza has upheld a consistent production of works at the highest level, yet without the slightest hint of the overt professionalism and promotion that has become part of the contemporary architect's machinery,” Chipperfield said.

Chipperfield said he had encouraged his colleagues to collaborate on designs so as to show that architecture was not just about unique eye-catching projects but more about “something created in collaboration with every citizen.”The British designer also paid homage to the host city saying: “The city shames us by its beauty, reminding us of the real possibilities of architecture, both as individual acts and as part of a greater vision.”

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.