Korea has won the Golden Lion for Best National Participation at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition, part of the Biennale di Venezia that opened in the northern Italian city on June 7. This is the first time for the country to win the honored Golden Lion at the biennale, which alternates between architecture and the arts each year.
This year's theme was "Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014," as suggested by Curator Rem Koolhaas. Korea showcased its "Crow's Eye View: The Korean Peninsula" exhibit that pictured the architectural history of the two divided Koreas over the past century.
Built with the participation of 39 Korean and non-Korean artists, the pavilion exhibited photographs and a collection of material grouped into four sections: Reconstructing Life, the Monumental State, the Border and Utopian Tours.
On display included rare material about North Korea gathered from across the globe. On the ceiling were installed two landmark photographs of the North and the South, side by side. One features Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and the other Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang.
The Korean pavilion was applauded by the jury, saying that it demonstrates the architecture of the two sides of the nation, a nation that has pursued two different systems, capitalism and communism. Francesco Bandarin, one of the jury members, said that, "The Korea pavilion has been recognized for its extraordinary achievement of presenting a new and rich body of knowledge of architecture and urbanism in a highly charged political situation. It is research-in-action, which expands the spatial and architectural narrative into a geopolitical reality."
A representative from the Arts Council Korea, in charge of the management of the pavilion, said that, "This year marks the 19th year of a Korean pavilion at the Biennale. It's sad that we were not able to engage North Korea and to include it in the project, but it is very meaningful that the exhibition of the two Korea's architectural history has won this glorious award."
The Silver Lion went to "Monolith Controversies" of Chile, while Special Mentions were given to "Arctic Adaptations: Nunavut at 15" from Canada, "Modernity: Promise or Menace" from France and "Fair Enough: Russia's Past, Our Present" from Russia.
The biennale continues until November 23.
More information can be found at the website.
http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/exhibition/lion
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
Korea has won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture this year. Architect Cho Min-suk (center), the commissioner of the exhibition, smiles as he holds aloft the award. (photo: Yonhap News)
This year's theme was "Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014," as suggested by Curator Rem Koolhaas. Korea showcased its "Crow's Eye View: The Korean Peninsula" exhibit that pictured the architectural history of the two divided Koreas over the past century.
Built with the participation of 39 Korean and non-Korean artists, the pavilion exhibited photographs and a collection of material grouped into four sections: Reconstructing Life, the Monumental State, the Border and Utopian Tours.
On display included rare material about North Korea gathered from across the globe. On the ceiling were installed two landmark photographs of the North and the South, side by side. One features Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and the other Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang.
The Korean pavilion was applauded by the jury, saying that it demonstrates the architecture of the two sides of the nation, a nation that has pursued two different systems, capitalism and communism. Francesco Bandarin, one of the jury members, said that, "The Korea pavilion has been recognized for its extraordinary achievement of presenting a new and rich body of knowledge of architecture and urbanism in a highly charged political situation. It is research-in-action, which expands the spatial and architectural narrative into a geopolitical reality."
The Korean pavilion spotlights the architectural history of the two Koreas. (photo: Yonhap News)
A representative from the Arts Council Korea, in charge of the management of the pavilion, said that, "This year marks the 19th year of a Korean pavilion at the Biennale. It's sad that we were not able to engage North Korea and to include it in the project, but it is very meaningful that the exhibition of the two Korea's architectural history has won this glorious award."
The Silver Lion went to "Monolith Controversies" of Chile, while Special Mentions were given to "Arctic Adaptations: Nunavut at 15" from Canada, "Modernity: Promise or Menace" from France and "Fair Enough: Russia's Past, Our Present" from Russia.
The biennale continues until November 23.
More information can be found at the website.
http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/exhibition/lion
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
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