China Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia | May 26 - November 25, 2018

CHINA (People’s Republic of) Building a Future Countryside

Philip F. Yuan, In Bamboo, ? Bian Lin, Courtesy Padiglione della Cina alla 16.Mostra Internazionale di Architettura, La Biennale di Venezia

Commissioner: China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG). Curator: Li Xiangning.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-ang, Nishizawa Ryue, Li Zhenyu, Lyu Pinjing, Naturalbuild, O-office Architects, temp architects, Xu Tiantian, Zhang Li, Zhao Yang, Zhu Jingxiang.Venue: Arsenale

"The motivation for this exhibition goes beyond xiangchou, a Chinese term referring to nostalgia for rural territories. Let's go back to exploring the countryside where Chinese culture was born, to bring back forgotten values and ignored possibilities. From there we will build the future campaign. "- Li Xiangning (Curator)

One of the greatest challenges of the contexts built in the contemporary age is the future of rural development. In China, the campaign has become an area of new experimental frontiers, where it is being built at a speed and scale never seen before in the western scenario. Guided by the promise of unlimited possibilities, architects, artists, entrepreneurs and capital flows are converging in the rural areas of the entire nation.

The return to pastoral life has long been an ideal of traditional Chinese literature. In today's era, life in rural areas involves political, economic, infrastructural and technological aspects. Modernization and technological progress promise us better living conditions, but at the same time and to a certain extent, they break the link between rural life and tradition. Faced with the mass construction of rural houses generated by urbanization, the architects are trying to find a compromise between tradition and modernization, using contemporary technology to try to create a local connection.

From the great expanse of Loess Plateau to the water towns to the south of the Yangtze, from the vast and luxuriant plains in the north-east of China to the green and wonderful farmland to the south, hundreds and thousands of villages have become places of industrial development, self-construction and cultural creation. These places are experiencing incredible opportunities, thanks to technological innovations including the Internet, logistics systems and sharing economy.

Rural development in current China is unprecedented, both in terms of scope and approach. In addition, this development anticipates a new vision born thanks to the unique conditions of China.

"Building a Future Countryside" represents the rural areas of China through six episodes: poetic housing, local production, cultural practices, agricultural tourism, community reconstruction and future exploration. The exhibition outlines a free space - freespace - for opportunities and anticipates future development.

MAIN PROJECTS

At the entrance to the pavilion, following the exhibition path, these are the main projects:

Wood Kiln Bing Ding by Zhang Lei, AZL Architects

Xinzhai Coffee Manor of Hua Li, Trace Architecture Office - TAO

An Old-new House by John Lin + Joshua Bolchover, Rural Urban Framework

Cidi Memo, a Town of Memory by Liu Yuyang, Atelier Liu Yuyang Architects

Mountain Dwelling. Waterside Dwelling. Forest Dwelling by Dong Yugan

In Bamboo by Philip F. Yuan, Archi-Union Architects, co. Ltd.

Outside the China Pavilion, in the garden:

Cloud Village by Philip F. Yuan, Shanghai Digital Fabrication Engineering Technology Center

LI XIANGNING, CURATOR

Li Xiangning is vice president and professor of History, theory and criticism at Tongji University, College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He is a member of CICA (Comité International des Critiques d'Architecture) and curator of several exhibitions, he deals with numerous publications on Chinese architecture and urban planning. He is editor-in-chief of Architecture China and president of the Architecture China Foundation. In addition, he has worked with international institutions and museums and has been a jury member of various international awards and competitions.

CHINA PAVILION - 16. INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION THE VENICE BIENNALE

Commissioner: China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG)

Organization: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China

Preparation: China International Exhibition Agency

Deputy Commissioner: Li Jinsheng, Wang Chen

Assistants: Huang Xiaogang, Liu Zhenlin, Li Rui, Yang Xin, Xie Yanyi, Li Yunyun, Zhang Ziwei

Contributors: Zhu Di, Zheng Hao, Wang Mingxian, Zhu Wenyi, Shi jian, Li Hu

Curator: Li Xiangning

Assistants: Yao Weiwei, Mo Wanli, Gao Changjun

Research team: Zhang Xiaochun, Lin Lin, Deng Yuanye

Display Design: Liu Yuyang, Zhang Ziyue

Graphic Design: Ni Minqing, Li Jixin

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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by Press Office LA BIENNALE