Architecture

Venice Architecture Biennale. Chinese Pavilion

On the occasion of the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, The Chinese Pavilion will propose the exhibition “Building a future countryside”, curated by Dr. Li Xiangning, Deputy Dean and Full Professor in History, Theory and Criticism at Tongji University College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Philip F. Yuan, In Bamboo, Photo © Bian Lin, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Philip F. Yuan, In Bamboo, Photo © Bian Lin, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

The exhibition will feature major projects realized during the past years in the Chinese countryside, highlighting one of the major challenges that contemporary architecture is facing: future of rural development. In China, the countryside has become a new frontier for experiments in this area, and the country is developing it at a speed and scale at a higher than the West. Seeing in it a lot of opportunities, architects, artists and developers are converging in rural areas across the nation.

Rural Urban Frameworkd, An Old-New House Recycling The Rural during the Celebration, Photo © John Lin, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Rural Urban Frameworkd, An Old-New House Recycling The Rural during the Celebration, Photo © John Lin, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

The motivation for this exhibition is more than just nostalgia for rural lands. We return to the countryside where Chinese culture originated to recover forgotten values and overlooked possibilities; from there, we will build a future countryside.

Li Xiangning

Chen Haoru, Pig Barn of the Taiyang Organic Farming Commune, Photo © Lu Hengzhong, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Chen Haoru, Pig Barn of the Taiyang Organic Farming Commune, Photo © Lu Hengzhong, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

“Building a future countryside” will also approach the question of modernization as a way to sever the link between rural life and tradition. Hundreds and thousands of Chinese villages have become sites for industrial development, self-building, and cultural creation. These sites enjoy tremendous opportunities offered by technological innovations, including the internet, logistics systems, and sharing economies.

Zhang Lei, Ruralation Shenaoli Library, Photo © Yao Li, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Zhang Lei, Ruralation Shenaoli Library, Photo © Yao Li, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

“Building a future countryside” will depicts the countryside of contemporary China through six episodes: poetic dwellings, local production, cultural practices, agricultural tourism, community reconstruction, and future exploration.

Atelier Deshaus, Xinchang Village Central Kindergarten Inner Plaza Night View, Photo © Su Shengliang, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia
Atelier Deshaus, Xinchang Village Central Kindergarten Inner Plaza Night View, Photo © Su Shengliang, Courtesy Pavilion of China at the 16th Venice Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia

Texts from exhibition press release.

“Building a future countryside”, From May 26th till November 25th – Chinese Pavilion, Venice Architecture Biennale
Curator: Li Xiangning
Commissioner: China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG)
Organizer: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China
Presenter: China International Exhibition Agency
Exhibitors: Dong Yugan, Hua Li, Liu Yuyang, Philip F. Yuan, Rural Urban Framework, Zhang Lei, Atelier Archmixing, Atelier Deshaus, Chen Haoru, China New Rural Planning and Design, Dong Gong, Drawing Architecture Studio, Hsieh Ying-Chun, Jin Jiangbo,Li Yikao, Li Xinggang, Seung H-sang, Nishizawa Ryue, Li Zhenyu, Lyu Pinjing, Naturalbuild, O-office Architects, temp architects, Xu Tiantian, Zhang Li, Zhao Yang, Zhu Jingxiang.

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