What are the leading factors that have revolutionised the panorama of contemporary architecture over recent decades? Kurt W. Forster, curator of the ninth Venice Architecture Biennale, attempts to answer this question and puts on show 200 projects designed by over 170 practices. They are all linked by a single theme: metamorphosis. The extensive exhibition at the Corderie dell’Arsenale describes how it all started. Beginning with the 80s – with Eisenman, Gehry, Rossi and Stirling – the route is articulated in four periods/categories: topography, surfaces, atmospheres and hyper-projects.
At the Giardini the Biennale offers tangible examples of more recent changes. In the Italian pavilion for example, Mirko Zardini has brought together around forty interior design projects recently completed in Italy. On an artificial island in the waters of the Arsenale, one can follow the experiences of twenty cities whose destiny is linked to water.
For the first time, the Exhibition of Architecture will be present also at the Film Festival where the projects selected for a competition for the new cinema at the Lido will be on show. Asymptote and Omnivore designed the graphics for the Biennale as well as the catalogues and exhibition space. E.S.
12.9.2004 – 9.11.2004 Nona Mostra Internazionale di Architettura. Metamorph Arsenale – Giardini della Biennale, Venezia http://www.labiennale.org
