Swiss Pavilion now open

The Swiss Pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia was opened today in the presence of Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Philippe Bischof, Director of Pro Helvetia. The building, designed by Bruno Giacometti, will present the exhibition «Neighbours» by Karin Sander and Philip Ursprung until 26 November. Their project focuses on two national pavilions and a wall that connects as well as separates. Thus, the artist and the architecture historian offer audiences new perspectives on territorial and other relationships within the Giardini della Biennale. In the Arsenale, the main exhibition «The Laboratory of the Future» includes two Swiss contributions by Ursula Biemann and the collective Le laboratoire d’architecture.

In his speech, the President of the Confederation, Alain Berset, emphasised that

“the wall has the reputation of stirring up differences and cultivating misunderstandings by separating peoples, whereas its primary function is only to separate spaces. Karin Sander and Philip Ursprung reverse the perspective, offering a fascinating reflection: Ultimately, is there nothing closer than what lies just on the other side of the wall?”.

“Laboratories examine certain times and their significance for today. The project by Sander/Ursprung is political in a subtle way by showing how forms of neighbourhood, be they spatial, constructional or national, can shift in meaning. It also reveals that architecture is never neutral, it forms an important part of world history”,

noted Philippe Bischof, Director of Pro Helvetia.

On the project «Neighbours»

Following an open competition, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia selected artist Karin Sander and architecture historian Philip Ursprung, who both teach as professors at ETH Zurich, to design the Swiss exhibition for the 18th Architecture Biennale in Venice. Their project «Neighbours» spotlights the spatial and constructional proximity of the Swiss Pavilion to its Venezuelan neighbour.

In their exhibition manifesto, the artist and art historian write:

“Instead of being a space containing an exhibition, instead of hosting a display of something else, this year the Swiss Pavilion is exhibiting itself. ‘Neighbours’ is a conversation over the shared boundary of the pavilions of Switzerland (1951–52, Bruno Giacometti) and Venezuela (1954–56, Carlo Scarpa). We see the two pavilions as a spatial continuity. Competition between national pavilions is a relic from the past. The fixation on national representation has narrowed our horizons. We learn only through contact with others. Pavilions, like all of us, should take more care of each other.”

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Press release of the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia, 18.05.2023

Photo: © Samuele Cherubini