The Chinese Pavilion has installed 50 giant colossal scrolls that create an informative path, inviting visitors to the country's 40 years of urbanization at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale. 

The exhibition is described as "this mesmerizing corridor is evoking a sense of wandering past buildings."

Titled Renewal: a symbiotic narrative, the exhibition, curated by Ruan Xing, explores the relationship of traditional and contemporary elements on how the cities can respond to revival processes in China with new designs and technology, while keeping the characteristics of its traditions. 

The show focuses on the symbiotic relationship between traditions, history, technology and human interaction in modern China, exploring the interplay between contemporary and traditional practices. 

Situated in Arsenale, the exhibition presents the works of several Chinese architects, including Arcplus Group-ECADI (East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co./Ltd.), Arcplus Group-Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research, Chongqing Architectural Design Institute of Chongqing Design Group.

The exhibition is enriched by architectural models, drawings, posters, VR technology and informative texts that narrate a succesfful story of Chinese experiments in shaping liveability in high-density environments. 

Ruan Xing told CGTN that "We would like to tell this interesting concept of renewal. On the one hand, there's the change, on the other hand, it is always supported by the cultural context of continuity."

According to CGTN, at a press conference, Xing said that the show provides an in-depth look at the country's 40 years of urbanization with a series of case studies from Shanghai.

"The city’s population exploded from 11 million to 25 million over this period, while the per capita living space also jumped from 4.5 to 37.4 square meters, marking an incredible change," he added.

"Through this unique Chinese narrative, we seek free discourses on the recent and emerging transformations in the built environment: where are we going and what is at stake?," stated the Chinese pavilion in a press statement. 

"Do conclusions lie in the architectural enigma of density? Will the future city feature modernist towers, traditional courtyards, or a symbiosis of the two?." 

"Or will other possibilities be brought about through VR technology, clean and renewable energy?."

In the exhibition, "visitors are encouraged to come up with their own answers by ‘viewing,’ ‘unfolding,’ ‘contemplating,’ and ‘strolling’ in the China Pavilion."

Each model or drawing is installed at a cave-like space on the mega-colossal columns in which some of them are painted in red, and others are left as white color. 

Ruan Xing said that "renewal, in the context of Chinese culture, signifies a mindset. Changes become the norm, but are accompanied by the steadfastness of our culture and traditions."

"For the Chinese, the pursuit of permanence in living environments is not the goal. Instead, renewal is ingrained in our mindset."

On the other hand, artist Zhuang Ziyu said that "renewal and symbiosis are not only contemporary perspectives but concepts deeply rooted in Chinese architecture and planning."

"We find them in our traditional arts, gardens, and city planning. They are also reflected in the interfaces of our advanced technology and communication tools," Ziyu added.

The exhibition can also be explored through a video here. 

The Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 is taking place from Saturday 20 May to Sunday 26 November, 2023 at the Arsenale and Giardini venues in Italy. 

The theme of the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale is The Laboratory of the Future curated by Ghanaian-Scottish architect, academic, and novelist Professor Lesley Lokko.

Read more about WAC's coverage about the biennale pavilions on Venice Architecture Biennale 2023. To see more pavilions from this year's biennale, you can also visit WAC's Instagram/Reels for exclusive videos.

Exhibition facts

Pavilion: China (People's Republic of)

Commissioner: China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd (CAEG)

Curator: Ruan Xing 

Exhibitors: Bo Hongtao, Cai Chunyan/Liu Tao, Du Chunlan, Fan Beilei/Kong Rui/Xue Zhe, Guo Yuchen/Yang Siqi/Zhan Beidi/Jiang Boyuan/Wang Jingwen/Yang Shuo, He Jianxiang/Jiang Ying, He Mengjia, Huang Huaqing, Zhang Hai’ao/Xu Hang/Li Di, Huang Yinwu, Kong Yuhang/Yang Wei, Li Danfeng/Zhou Jianjia, Li Xinggang, Liu Doreen Heng, Liu Kenan/Zhang Xu,Liu Moyan/Su Peng/Ju Anqi/Ying Shijiao/Li Yuanyuan/Song Jiawei, Liu Yuyang, Long Ying,Luo Jing/Yu Borou,Meng Fanhao, Qian Shiyun, Ruan Xing/Zhang Yang,Shui Yanfei, Song Yehao, Sun Haode/Student Team SJTU,Tong Ming/Ren Guang/Guo Hongqu,Wang Dan/Li Zhibo,Wang Qiu’an,Wang Xin/Sun Yu, Wang Yan,Wang Zhuo’er, Xu Xunjun/Zhang Xudong/Pang Lei, Yang Yongliang, Zhang Bin, Zhang Jiajing, Zhang Li/Zhao Peng/Ye Yang, Zhang Ming/Zhang Zi/Qin Shu/Su Ting,Zhang Tong/Aldo Aymonino, Zheng Xiaodi, Zhou Wei, Zhuang Shen/Ren Hao/Tang Yu/Zhu Jie, Zhuang Ziyu, Atelier Deshaus, Arcplus Group-ECADI (East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co./Ltd.), Arcplus Group-Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research(Co./Ltd.), CBC Building Centre,Chongqing Architectural Design Institute of Chongqing Design Group.

All images © Marco Zorzanello, La Biennale di Venezia.

> via Chinese Pavilion 

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