Venice Architecture Biennale
19 April 2006
The South African departments of Arts and Culture, Foreign Affairs and the
National Heritage Council will participate in the 10th Venice Architecture
Biennale to be held from 10 September to 19 November 2006.
This Biennale will, for the first time in its own history, focus on the
design of cities, their urban infrastructure and social dynamics, providing a
unique international perspective on the relationship between architecture,
society and sustainability.
The theme for this year's Biennale, under the directorship of Prof Richard
Burdett is "Cities: Society and Architecture". Prof Burdett is the Centennial
Professor in Architecture and Urbanism at the London School of Economics and
founding director of the LSE Cities Programme, a research and teaching centre
which explores links between architecture, urban design and urban society.
South Africa is the first African country to be officially invited to
participate in this prestigious bi-annual event that has an attendance of over
100 000 visitors and 3000 accredited journalists from around the world. The
Architectural Biennale will overlap with the high profile Venice Film
Festival.
The South African participation was discussed amongst a wide spectrum of
stakeholders from government, universities, academics and the South African
Institute of Architects during a workshop held on 13 March 2006 in Pretoria.
The discussions identified potential themes, messages, projects and exhibits
for the South African participation and in general discussed issues around the
development of our cities since 1994.
South Africa has been allocated a 140sqm space in the Padiglione Italia
(Italian Pavilion) in the Giardini.
The South African participation will be facilitated through the South
African Commissioner for the event Ambassador Lenin Shope, based in Rome. South
Africa's Consul General in Milan, Alwyn Figgins, has been appointed his
Deputy.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
19 April 2006
Source: SAPA
