The Global 'Modernism' of the Past 100 Years: Venice's 14th Architecture Biennale

Fundamentals: Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014

The biannual international exhibition on architecture held in Venice, Italy, this year is curated by Rem Koolhas who set the specific argument Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014 which contributed to the overall theme Fundamentals for the participating countries from all over the globe. The exhibitions exemplify each country's ability to be 'a protagonist in the cosmopolitan world of art and architecture'. (1) Each pavilion demonstrates a participation in the history and 'progress' of a modern society critiqued through diverse mediums, from projected films, to analytical texts, to representative models; with the intention of evidencing research that documents 'where we are now' and perhaps implicates 'where we are going'. Even though not all the artistic displays proposed positive results from the application of 'modernization' over the years; the pavilions did manage to speak a unified language of architecture by exhibiting complimentary styles, an international identity combined with exclusive traditions: similar but different.

Curator

Rem Koolhas is famous for his architectural projects, built with Elia and Zoe Zenghelis and Madelon Vriesendorp through AMO, and his analytical texts that range from retail design to urban commissions. His unique combination expresses a so-called 'intellectual architecture'. Koolhas does not only build but explores building. Students, professionals, researchers and the inspired have read, examined or viewed his works. 

The selection of Koolhas for the 14th Biennale was not surprising. One of his main terms of agreement was contingent on the application of the overall theme of Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014 by the participating countries. The focus on 'architecture not architects' was as an integral aspect of the narrative of modernization over the past 100 years. 'Together, they present a portrait of terrifying, in which almost every country was destroyed, divided, occupied, drained, and traumatized, yet sustained...' (2)

Among the well known AMO structures include: CCTV Headquarters, Beijing (2012), Wyly Theatre, Dallas (2009), Seoul National University Museum of Art (2006), Prada Epicenter, New York (2001), and Villa d’allava, Paris (1991). 

Koolhas' publications include: Al Manakh I and II, Archis (2007 and 2010), Great Leap Forward (2002), and Harvard Guide to Shopping (2001). 

There are then, of course, the well known exhibitions taken place in diverse cities on different continents: 

(Im)pure, (In)formal, (Un)built, L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris (2011), Dubai Next, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein (2008) and Cities on the Move, Hayward Gallery, London (1999).

MondItalia

Analysing Political Set Backs of a Nation Identified through Art & Architecture that 

The Monditalia is a major part of the Arsenale exhibition area of the Biennale that reflects the theme Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014 due to how the 'current state of Italy' represents the global situation of 'political transformation'. In the main halls, the history, architecture, politics, religion, technology, economics, industry, media, etc of Italy, from north Africa to the Alps, investigate and illustrate through diverse media the 'complex reality'. The critique of the nation revolves around a balancing of contemporary chaos due to political obstacles and disagreements with the possibility of reaching Italy's full potential of 'modernity'. 82 Italian movies and 41 architectural studies set the ground work for the discourse on how political ideologies transform and impede on the progress of a nation in evolving forward its industry and economy.

Overview

Over the next few weeks, CritIt will provide 'glimpses' into the pavilions and exhibitions of the 14th Biennale Architecture in order to shed light on a selection of 66 participating countries' representation of modern heritage and the issues of development associated with progress.

Pavilions:

Please follow updates on links to the listed pavilions
Albania
Bahrain
Costa Rica
United States
Croatia
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Macedonia
Malaysia
Morocco
Portugal
Turkey
Austria
Belgium
France
Greece
Korea
Serbia
Spain
Venezia

footnotes

1. Baratta, Paolo. 'Forward' in Fundamentals catalogue. 14th International Architecture Exhibition: La Biennale of Venice (Marsilio, 2014) p. 14
2. Koolhas, Rem. 'Director: Rem Koolhas' in Fundamentals Catalogue. 14th International Architecture Exhibition: La Biennale of Venice (Marsilio, 2014), p. 17

bibliography (in chronological order)

1. Fundamentals Catalogue. 14th International Architecture Exhibition: La Biennale of Venice (Marsilio, 2014)

2. 'Direction: Rem Koolhas' in The Biennale di Venezia, 2014. http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/director/