Global affair: Time Space Existence returns to Venice Architecture Biennale

Back for a second time during the Architecture Biennale, Time Space Existence, organised by the Global Arts Affairs Foundation, is currently on show in Venice, offering even more opportunities for thought and discussion over architecture’s most current themes.
The some-100 strong architecture show – an official Biennale Collateral event – has grown. This year, it spreads across three grand Venetian palaces; Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora and Palazzo Rossini. And the participating architects, invited by the organisers and coming from six different continents, don’t shy away from trying to address philosophical questions of time, space and existence – as the show’s theme dictates – through examples of their recent work.
The results are varied, ranging from drawings, models, film and larger scale spatial installations that blur the borders between art and architecture. At the same time they offer an interesting counter-weight to Alejandro Aravena’s main show at the Giardini and Arsenale, complementing, rather than antagonising it, casting a wider net for debate. Subject matters are respectively diverse, spanning from global travel to green spaces, public buildings and conceptual work.
Participants include architects and artists in all stages of their careers; from established names, such as Peter Eisenman, Denise Scott Brown or Singapore’s WOHA, to photographers (such as Patricia Parinejad, who also gave us unique access to her shots of the show).
Younger, dynamic practices, such as Dara Huang’s Design Haus Liberty, who created a mesmerising installation of hanging silver balls in a darkened space, also have a strong presence; while research projects joined the show this year, with notable examples being the University of Arkansas and the MIT.
Spread across three Venetian Palazzi, the show includes works by some 100 architects, coming from all corners of the earth and discussing philosophical issues of time, space and existance through their projects
American architect Peter Eisenman was one of the show’s more established names, displaying a series of his signature drawings
German architects Gerber Architekten also showcased work at Palazzo Bembo
Photographer Patricia Parinejad is one of the artists taking part in the show, displaying her project on Rio de Janeiro favelas
Singapore firm WOHA produced a film taking visitors through a journey across the southeast asian island’s urban landscape
Argentinian architect Carla Bechelli shows a three-dimentional installation of examples of her practice’s work
At Time Space Existence, US firm Fentress Architects explored airports and global travel
Nearby, Alireza Razavi built a large scale structure enveloping examples of his studio’s work
Exhibits at Palazzo Mora include an interactive installation by Cara Lee and Stephan Mundwiler and Jennifer Marmon’s Platform for Architecture + Research
Lewis & Gould Architects came all the way from New York to show examples of their between two of Palazzo Mora’s Venetian windows
Tidal house is a display by Terry & Terry Architecture from Berkley, California
INFORMATION
Time Space Existence will be on show until the 27 November. For more information, visit the Global Art Affairs website
Photography: Patricia Parinejad
ADDRESS
Time Space Existence
Palazzo Bembo (Rialto Bridge),
Palazzo Mora (Strada Nova)
and Palazzo Rossini (Campo Manin)
Venice, Italy
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).
-
Knoll classics become unique works of art in the hands of Noel Mercado
Chicago artist Noel Mercado transforms three Knoll classics into one-off works of art using discarded car parts
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Budding romance: Dior pays homage to the rose
Dior Joaillerie’s ‘Bois de Rose’ collection pays homage to the classic flower
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Alaïa teams up with Rare Books Paris to curate a stylish library
Alaïa partners with Rare Books Paris to celebrate some of fashion and art’s most collectable tomes, curated by Peter Mulier and displayed in Alaïa’s Paris and London boutiques
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Floating infinity pool by Herzog & De Meuron at Lake Como is largest of its kind
Herzog & de Meuron creates the largest floating infinity pool in the world for Mandarin Oriental in Lake Como
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Best of brutalist Italian architecture chronicled in new book
Brutalist Italian architecture enthusiasts and concrete completists will be spoilt for choice by Roberto Conte and Stefano Perego’s pictorial tour
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Studio Tropicana, Switzerland and Italy: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023
Based in Switzerland and Italy, Studio Tropicana is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
WeWork Meravigli blends past and present in a 21st-century office space
WeWork Meravigli launches in Milan, bringing its ornate, historical new home to the 21st century
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
In memoriam: Paolo Portoghesi (1931 - 2023)
Postmodernist Italian architect Paolo Portoghesi has died; writer David Plaisant celebrates his life and legacy, recalling his visit to Calcata for a feature in the Wallpaper* April 2021 issue
By David Plaisant Published
-
Interactive exhibition at Procuratie Vecchie in Venice encourages coexistence and collaboration
Generali Group opens interactive exhibition ‘A World of Potential’ in the restored Procuratie Vecchie in Venice
By Ifeoluwa Adedeji Published
-
Venice turns into ‘laboratory of the future’ with 18th Architecture Biennale opening
Curator Lelsey Lokko’s theme, ‘The Laboratory of the Future’, brings passion, intensity and imagination to the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, while placing Africa at its heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
2023 British Pavilion offers diverse and dynamic installation at the 2023 Venice Biennale
The 2023 British Pavilion, 'Dancing Before the Moon,' contributes a triumphant blend of ritual, music, and cross-cultural pollination to the biennale’s ‘laboratory of the future’
By Jonathan Bell Published