David Basulto, curator of the Nordic Pavilion exhibition at the 2016 Venice Biennale, has announced that 500 submissions were received following an Open Call.
300 Nordic architecture projects
Of these, 300 projects have been selected to form a contemporary survey of Nordic architecture and will form the central body of the show.
Nine have been chosen as uniquely representative of the contemporary Nordic scene and will be presented in depth.
“The 300 embody what we perceive as the ‘Nordic Spirit’. Just as Sverre Fehn’s pavilion is a crystallisation of Nordic architecture – embodying a precise and fluid articulation of structure, light, and nature – the nine we have chosen have a similar gravitas and complexity but with their own distinct identities,” says Basulto.
Finland, Norway and Sweden: Highly developed, socially progressive nations with enormous challenges
According to Basulto: “Although it might superficially appear that Finland, Norway and Sweden are at ‘the pinnacle of the pyramid’ they each, nonetheless, face difficult and distinct challenges.
“The exhibition will uncover the fascinating disjunction between the typical world view of the Nordic countries as highly developed, socially progressive nations, and seek to reveal the enormous challenges which they face, with architecture – as a spatial, social, and cultural practice – at its epicentre.
“From fragmenting social integration, immigration demands and the challenge of an ageing population, to the decline of the oil industry and resultant damage to the natural landscape, beneath the surface there’s still a long way to go and much to be learnt from.”
“In Therapy: Nordic Countries Face to Face” – About the Exhibition
The Nordic participation at the Venice Biennale is a collaboration between the Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki, the National Museum’s Department of Architecture, Oslo, and ArkDes – the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design, Stockholm.
Exhibition period
“In Therapy: Nordic Countries Face to Face” is on display at the Venice Biennale between May 26 and November 27, 2016 (open to the public from Saturday May 28).
About David Basulto (Curator)
David Basulto is a Chilean Architect and co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of ArchDaily and its network of sites in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Source: ArkDes; photo: Åke E:son Lindman – the photo shows the Tree Hotel in Harads, Swedish Lapland one of the nine projects that have been chosen as uniquely representative of the contemporary Nordic scene
