La Biennale Architettura di Venezia 2014
Wall, ceiling, tracks and spotlights: all black in the Turkish Pavilion
In 2014, Turkey participated in the architectural biennale in Venice for the first time.
While previous events often celebrated the contemporary, the 14th biennale, curated by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, dedicated itself to the history and reconstruction of modern architecture. Particularly relevant, the motto „Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014“ was reflected in the theme of the various country pavilions.
For the Turkish contribution „Places of Remembrance,“ architect and curator Murat Tabanlıoğlu share his personal memories with colleagues and artists from different generations. With a focus on Istanbul, they contemplated their traditional approach to architecture and urban design. The results are presented on two parallel, black walls, in one of the long halls of the Arsenale – a former shipyard in the heart of the lagoon.
mawa staged the photographs and reliefs of the six artists with track spotlights from the fbl series, according to the requirements of the lighting designer. The narrow-beamed, cold-toned light brought the presentation of the Metropolis on the Bosporus, between stories, international influence, and individual character, to life.
