Time Space Existence returns to Venice Architecture Biennale

The Time Space Existence architecture show in Venice has just launched, together with the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale. Pictured: Design Haus Liberty’s mesmering installation at Palazzo Bembo

(Image credit: Patricia Parinejad)

By Ellie Stathaki

published 2 June 2016

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

Displaying a series of his signature drawings — 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

The artists taking part in the show — Photographer Patricia Parinejad is one of the artists taking part in the show, displaying her project on Rio de Janeiro favelas

The southeast asian island’s urban landscape — 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

A large scale structure enveloping — 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 (opens in new tab)

Photography: Patricia Parinejad

ADDRESS

Time Space Existence
Palazzo Bembo (Rialto Bridge),
Palazzo Mora (Strada Nova)
and Palazzo Rossini (Campo Manin)
Venice, Italy

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TOPICS

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).