PHL to feature Manila heritage at Venice Architecture Biennale

After a successful run at the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition in 2015, the Philippines now heads to the 15th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale for the first time in May featuring the heritage of Metro Manila. 

The Philippine exhibit at the Palazzo Mora in Venice, Italy will be curated by the Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP), the firm founded by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. The curatorial team is composed of Leandro Locsin Jr., Sudarshan Khadka Jr., and Juan Paolo de la Cruz.

The selected exhibit is called “Muhon: Traces of an Adolescent City”, where six architects and three contemporary artists are expected to start a conversation about the rapid creation and destruction of Metro Manila’s built heritage and its effect on the formation of the city’s cultural identity.

The individual architects and firms involved are Eduardo Calma, Jorge Yulo, 8x8 Design Studio Co., C|S Design Consultancy, Lima Architecture, and Mañosa & Co. Inc. Represented by 1335 Mabini, Filipino contemporary artists Poklong Anading, Tad Ermitaño, and Mark Salvatus complete the list.

 

The curators, architects and artists that will represent the country in its first historic participation to the International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in May 2016. The Philippine Pavilion will exhibit Muhon: Traces of an Adolescent City. (L-R) Andro Magat, Poklong Anading, Don Lino, Tad Ermitano, Adrian Alfonso, Sudar Khadka, Gelo and Bambi Mañosa, Jorge Yulo, Anna Sy, Ed Calma, Andy Locsin, Charm Cabredo, and Juan Paolo Dela Cruz

A photo posted by Philippine Art Venice Biennale (@philartvenice) on

Jan 13, 2016 at 8:31pm PST

“Our historical first participation to Venice Architecture Biennale is a venue in which we can raise a dialogue on the progress of our architecture and issues on how we are preserving and conserving our built heritage,” Senator Loren Legarda said in a statement.

The Philippine participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale was organized by Legarda together with the National Comission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Philippine Pavilion

The Philippine Pavilion at Palazzo Mora will be divided into three rooms—Imprints, Markers, and Projections. Each room will showcase abstracted models of chosen muhons or markers in their original state, current condition, and projected future. 

 

Part of Mark Salvatus' work for the upcoming Venice Architecture Biennale. #MarkSalvatus #venicebiennale #architecture #muhon #urbanism #manila #metropolis @philartvenice @markramsel @mayumimanila @98bcollaboratory

A photo posted by 1335MABINI (@1335mabini) on

Feb 19, 2016 at 2:00am PST

 

Part of Mark Salvatus' work for the upcoming Venice Architecture Biennale. #MarkSalvatus #venicebiennale #architecture #muhon #urbanism #manila #metropolis @philartvenice @markramsel @mayumimanila @98bcollaboratory

A photo posted by 1335MABINI (@1335mabini) on

Feb 19, 2016 at 2:00am PST

The selected muhons or markers to be featured are the following:

• KM 0 in Luneta – Anading
• Pandacan Bridge – Ermitaño
• Chinatown – Salvatus
• Philippine International Convention Center – Calma
• Mandarin Hotel – Yulo
• Magsaysay Center – 8x8 Design Studio Co.
• Pasig River – C|S Design Consultancy
• Makati Stock Exchange – Lima Architecture
• Coconut Palace – Mañosa & Co.

The Venice Architecture Biennale will run from May 28 to November 27. —Trisha Macas/KG, GMA News