Venice Biennial 2014
7 June - 23 November 2014
ArkDes and museums of architecture in Finland and Norway collaborate in the world’s biggest architectural exhibition in Venice.
The general heading is “Fundamentals” with the subheading “Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014” for the involvement of the national pavilions. The Nordic exhibition in Venice 2014 is called “Forms of Freedom: African Independence and Nordic Models”. It investigates and documents how architecture was an important element of Nordic aid to East Africa during the 1960s and 70s.
Nordic participation is a partnership between museums of architecture in Finland, Norway and Sweden, with responsibility for curating and organising the exhibition rotating between the institutions. This year Nasjonalmuseet – Arkitektur in Oslo has overall responsibility. The curator is department director Dr Nina Berre, and co-curators and exhibition architects are Gro Bonesmo and the Space Group firm of architects.
The Nordic pavilion in Venice is the result of a competition that was won by the Norwegian architect Sverre Fehn. The pavilion was opened in 1962 and is managed jointly by Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Exhibition coordinator: Karin Åberg Waern