Architecture Biennale Venice – Opening of “UNBUILDING WALLS”
The official opening of the German Pavilion at the La Biennale di Venezia takes place this Friday, May 25th. With their exhibition "UNBUILDING WALLS", the curators Marianne Birthler, and Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz, and Thomas Willemeit of GRAFT will examines the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon
For 28 years, Germany has been united – exactly as long as the Berlin Wall existed (1961–1989). On the occasion of this parallel, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler are curating the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls” at the German Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice.
The exhibition responds to current debates on nations, protectionism and division. In the German Pavilion, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler will take the parallel as an opportunity to explore the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon. With reference to “Freespace,” the central theme of the Architecture Biennale proposed by Grafton Architects, special focus will be given to outstanding examples of urban and architectural design that address aspects of division and integration.
By analyzing architectural projects on the former border strip, the question of what happened on this unprecedented void in the middle of a new capital will be examined. The heterogeneity of the multitude of approaches, typologies, protagonists, and results show the breadth of architectural debates and solutions. Taking the experience of the inner-German Wall as a starting point, the exhibition will also examine historical as well as current barriers, fences and walls beyond Germany’s specific national perspective. In the course of the preparations for Unbuilding Walls a journalist team travelled to border walls around the world. This work will be shown at the German Pavilion as well.
EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 25TH 2018
11 am
Press Conference, German Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, 30122 Venedig
Speakers:
Secretary of State Gunther Adler
Curators of the German Pavilion Marianne Birthler, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit
12:30 pm
Opening German Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, 30122 Venedig
Speakers:
Secretary of State Gunther Adler
President of the German Bundesrat Michael Müller
Curators of the German Pavilion Marianne Birthler, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit
Please visit www.unbuildingwalls.de for further information on the exhibition and press material.
The 16th International Architecture Exhibition 2018 is open from May 26th until November 25th at the Giardini and Arsenale as well as further places in Venice/ Italy.
Official Biennale website for further information: http://www.labiennale.org/
Photo: Jan Bitter
