Lesley Lokko, curator of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023. Image © Jacopo Salvi. Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
On May 20th, 2023, the entire architecture world will turn its attention to Venice for the opening of the 18th edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale. With Lesley Lokko taking the helm as the curator of this international exhibition, ArchDaily has been diligently covering all the details of the Biennale. However, there are still some frequently asked questions about the event that remain unanswered. In this article, we aim to address the top 10 queries to give you everything you need to know about the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023.
When does the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 begin?
Arsenale de Venecia, Italy. Image © Giulio Squillacciotti. Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
For the general public, the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 begins on Saturday, May 20th, and will remain open until Sunday, November 26th, with the exception of Mondays. If you purchase your tickets before March 30th, you can take advantage of the early bird stage, with the general ticket priced at €20.50. Alternatively, there are tickets available for €30.50, valid for 3 consecutive days from the first access to the event. For the most up-to-date ticket prices, you can check the official Venice Biennale website.
Where is the Venice Architecture Biennale held?
Arsenale in Venice, Italy. Image © Andrea Avezzù. Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
The Giardini and Arsenale serve as the main venues for the world's most important architectural event. These spaces will host "The Laboratory of the Future," the international exhibition curated by Lesley Lokko, as well as most of the national pavilions. In addition to these venues, various events will be held throughout Venice.
Who is in charge of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023?
Roberto Cicutto, President of La Biennale di Venezia, and Lesley Lokko, Commissioner of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition. Image Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Architect, academic, and novelist Lesley Lokko is serving as the curator of the 18th International Exhibition of the Venice Architecture Biennale. Lokko was handpicked by La Biennale di Venezia, an organization headed by Roberto Cicutto, a film producer and CEO of Luce Cinecittà.
What are the national pavilions at the Venice Biennale?
In 2021, the United Arab Emirates Pavilion won the Golden Lion for Best National Participation. Image © Frederico Torra for PLANE-SITE
The national pavilions are physical spaces that house the official representation of their respective countries at the Venice Biennale, both in the art and architecture editions. Unlike those participating in the international architecture exhibition, national curators are not obliged to adhere to the theme proposed by the Biennale curator. The Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 will showcase 63 national participations, including the debut of Niger, Panama's own pavilion, and the return of the Vatican's pavilion with an intervention on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Do all national pavilions have their own buildings at the Biennale?
In 1961, Sverre Fehn designed the permanent pavilion for the Nordic countries at the Venice Biennale. Image © Jelena990 | Shutterstock
No, not all countries have their own buildings at the Venice Biennale. Throughout the history of the event, 29 countries have constructed their own pavilions, starting from Belgium in 1907 to South Korea in 1996. Once inaugurated, these buildings are managed by their respective countries' Ministries of Culture. Countries without permanent pavilions are required to pay a commission for their participation. However, having a constructed pavilion does not guarantee participation in all biennials. For instance, Venezuela did not participate in the 2014 edition, curated by Rem Koolhaas, co-founder of OMA.
What is the difference between the national pavilions and the international exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale?
In the international exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2021, the Austrian studio MAEID participated with Magic Queen. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
Since 1998, the Venice Architecture Biennale has been structured around three pillars: national pavilions (each country selects its own curators and projects), the international exhibition (curated by the Biennale's curator), and collateral events (approved by the Biennale's curator). In the current edition, curated by Lesley Lokko, 89 architects have been invited to participate in the international exhibition, with a strong African presence.
Who selects the national curators of the Venice Architecture Biennale?
The curatorship of the South Korean Pavilion is appointed by the Arts Council Korea (ARKO). Image © Ugo Carmeni
Each participating country has its own mechanisms for selecting both its exhibition and curators. In most cases, these mechanisms involve collaborations between different state institutions; however, this does not necessarily mean that curators are selected through public calls. For example, in countries like Spain, Argentina, and Chile, public calls are made with the support of ministries. In other cases, such as the Netherlands, Het Nieuwe Instituut (HNI) makes the selection, while the São Paulo Biennial Foundation is responsible for the choice of curator(s) and the production of the exhibition in Brazil.
Who are the members of the Jury of the Venice Architecture Biennale?
The jury for the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale has not yet been announced, and it will be communicated a few days before the event's inauguration. To give you an idea, the jury for the 2021 edition included Kazuyo Sejima (Japan), Sandra Barclay (Peru), Lamia Joreige (Lebanon), Luca Molinari (Italy), and Lesley Lokko (Ghana-Scotland) herself. Each member was selected by the Administrative Council of the Venice Biennale, following the recommendation of Hashim Sarkis, the curator of that edition.
Does the Venice Architecture Biennale give out awards?
At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021, Spanish architect Rafael Moneo was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Image © Germán Saiz
Yes, the Biennale's Jury awards the Golden Lion for Best National Participation, the Golden Lion for Best Participant in the International Exhibition, and the Silver Lion for a Promising Young Participant in the International Exhibition. The winners will be announced on Saturday, May 20, 2023, except for the Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion, which is announced months before the opening.
Why is the prize of the Venice Architecture Biennale a sculpture of a lion?
Iñaqui Carnicero and Carlos Quintáns receiving the Golden Lion for Best National Participation for the Spanish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2016. Image © Pola Mora
The tradition of awarding a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale dates back to 1949, when it was introduced as the prize for the Venice Art Biennale. The lion symbolizes the city of Venice and the Republic of Venice, a nation that ceased to exist in 1797 after being conquered by troops led by Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers on behalf of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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