Lifting the curtain. Central European Architectural Networks
Collateral Event of the 14th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
The contribution of Central Europe to the formation and dissemination of modernity is largely unknown or seen as a marginal episode in post-war historiographies of global modern architecture, due in part to its long term isolation from Western discourse. This situation also reinforced the currently dominant national narratives of modernism in post-socialist countries.
This project explores key transitions that formed modernity in Central Europe from a different perspective. Its intention is to highlight cross border and cross disciplinary transfers, which reveal a different understanding of the networks of modern architecture.
The exhibition is the first instalment of a long-term research on the development of architecture as a result of complex interactions between material and immaterial production, where many actors constitute networks and exchange knowledge. In a lateral move between national and object narratives, the exhibition focuses not on the elements but the mechanisms of production. Its initial themes describe networks and agencies who formed and contextualized architectural culture until the socialist states, tracing links between the different national narratives and larger interpretative frameworks. Later phases address the postmodern adaptations during the transformation periods, and the impact of 20th century projects on current unfolding processes.
Through the active process of documentation an open archive will be constructed within the project exhibitions and events in contributing centers. This modus operandi will relaunch the exchange between the most active centers of architecture in the region. Thus the project is also an attempt to revive and foster current networks.
Accomapanying events will be announced
Venue: Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli (Sala Tiziano)
Dorsoduro 919 Venezia
www.officinadellezattere.it
Zattere Vaporetto Station, lines
2, 6, 8, 5.1, 5.2
Organiser: Polish Modern Art Foundation (PMAF), Warsaw
Co-organisers: TRACE – Central European Architectural Research Think-tank; CCEA – Centre for Central European Architecture, Prague; KEK – Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre, Budapest; ÖGFA – Austrian Association for Architecture, Vienna; Platforma 9,81 – Institute for Research in Architecture, Zagreb/Split
Long term research project initiator: TRACE
Curators: Sarmen Beglarian (PMAF), Piotr Bujas (TRACE), Igor Kovačević (CCEA), Iris Meder (ÖGFA), Maroje Mrduljaš (Platforma 9,81), Samu Szemerey (KÉK)
Research contribution:
Sarmen Beglarian, Dafne Berc, Markéta Březovská, Piotr Bujas, Adam Gebrian, Jelena Grbić, Karin Grohmannová, Alicja Gzowska, Daniella Huszár, Maja Ivanič, Jelica Jovanović, Aleksandra Kędziorek, Monika Konrad, Igor Kovačević, Małgorzata Kuciewicz, Vladimir Kulić, Iris Meder, Maroje Mrduljaš, Szilvia Nagy, Zofia Płoska, Milan Rakita, Grzegorz Rytel, Gabriele Ruff, Dubravka Sekulić, Peter Szalay, Samu Szemerey, Ines Tolić, Yvette Vašourková, Miranda Veljačić, Markéta Žačkova.
Partners: Adam Mickiewicz Institute (Instytut Adama Mickiewicza), Warsaw, Foundation Kultura nova, Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum), Budapest, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Officina delle Zattere, Venice,
Legal advice: White&Case
Pilsner Urquell, opening partner
Exhibition Design: Simone De Iacobis, Monika Konrad, Małgorzata Kuciewicz
Graphic design: Jakub Jezierski
Language editor: Martin Tharp
Production: Polish Modern Art Foundation
Zofia Borysiewicz, Katarzyna Sobczak
Project management: Gulia Gueci, Michael Koller, Christoph Thun