Showcasing Singapore to the world
The NUS Architecture-curated Singapore Pavilion has made its mark at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition (Biennale Architettura 2016) in Venice, having been listed by Elle Décor Italia as one of the seven most impressive national pavilions at the event. Singapore President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam officially opened the Pavilion, themed Space to Imagine, Room for Everyone, on 26 May.
Among those responsible for bringing the Pavilion’s concept to life are Lead Curator NUS Architecture Head Associate Professor Wong Yunn Chii; and Co-Curators NUS Architecture Senior Lecturer Mr Tomohisa Miyauchi, and Red Bean Architects Principal and Founder Mr Teo Yee Chin, who designed the Pavilion. DesignSingapore Council of the Ministry of Communications and Information commissioned Singapore’s contribution to the event.
Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, who was present at the opening, said, “The Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale brings together our Singapore design talents to showcase Singapore homes and infrastructure. It reflects the pervasiveness of design in how Singapore has built our communities, shaped the living environment and made Singapore a lovable city.”
Singapore’s exhibit, its fifth at the Exhibition since 2004, features a centrepiece of 81 customised lanterns illuminating photos of Singaporeans’ homes. These lanterns offer a glimpse into the lives of people in public housing and how each family has imaginatively created a space to call its own. Complementing the centrepiece are displays of artefacts and interview footage which tell stories of how residents step out and take actions to adopt and own their environments.
From left: Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran, Dr Yaacob, Dr Tony Tan and wife, Mrs Mary Tan, and Assoc Prof Wong touring the Singapore Pavilion (Photo: Don Wong)
Space to Imagine, Room for Everyone is a response to Biennale Architettura’s main theme, Reporting from the Front, by highlighting the small “battles” fought on the home front which are contributing to the emergence of an invigorated Singapore.
Six NUS Architecture students will act as docents, guiding visitors through the Pavilion. Year 4 student Vincent Tan found that his interactions with visitors have made him appreciate some aspects of Singapore, such as the high home ownership rate of 90.8 per cent, which posed a “shocker” to many visitors.
Another eye-opening conversation Vincent had with an Italian who has resided in Singapore highlighted the difference between the two countries’ approaches towards buildings and infrastructure. Singapore is constantly renewing itself, due to its culture of excellence, whereas Venice embraces the imperfections that come with the natural ageing of architecture.
“We came to the conclusion that both cities represent a utopia of their own, and it would be disastrous to have one try to be the other,” reflected Vincent.
Members of the public may visit the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, which is part of La Biennale di Venezia, from 28 May to 27 November.
