Venice Architecture Biennale: British Council launches Open Call for exhibition proposals
Calling all architects! Do you fancy having an exhibit that will be seen by a huge international audience? Well you are in luck because the British Council has launched an Open Call for exhibition proposals for the British Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, which will take place from 26 May to 25 November 2018.
Artistic Directors of the Biennale, Yvonne Farrell and Shelly McNamara, Grafton Architects, have announced the theme of the 2018 exhibition as ‘Freespace,’ focusing on ‘generosity, thoughtfulness and desire to engage.’ Participants are encouraged to ‘reveal the diversity, specificity and continuity in architecture based on people, place, time, history, to sustain the culture and relevance of architecture on this dynamic planet.’
The British Council invite you to form a short concept proposal for the curatorial approach of the exhibition in response to this theme. Proposals should take a broad approach, viewing the Venice Architecture Biennale as ‘a forum where ideas and concepts, as well as built works, are disseminated and exchanged.’
They have also asked that applicants consider architecture as ‘an expression of culture through site, materials and landscape.’
They stated that proposals should offer ‘an acute observation of contemporary British architecture and its relationship with the rest of the world.’
Sarah Mann, Commissioner of the British Pavilion and British Council Director of Architecture Design Fashion, said: ‘We are asking for proposals which challenge conventional exhibition formats, encourage participation and offer a new experience of contemporary British architecture, drawing on its ability to demonstrate meaningful dialogues between people and place.’
Your team needs to include an architect and/ or designer and can include researchers, curators, artists, critics and teams from institutions and organisations. Your team will lead on all curatorial aspects of the exhibition and be responsible of making sure the exhibition goes off without a hitch, working closely with the British Pavilion Commissioner and Project Manager from the British Council.
There will be a two stage selection process:
Stage 1: Initial expressions of interest will take the form of a short, illustrated concept statement. Proposals must be received by midnight on Monday, 7 August 2017.
Stage 2: Four teams will be invited to work up a fully developed exhibition concept, which will be presented to the selection panel. Final detailed proposals must be received by midnight on Tuesday, 12 September 2017.
The selection panel will select one team to work collaboratively with the British Council to develop the exhibition, the catalogue and associated programme of events. The British Council will support the curatorial team to manage the exhibition production.
The winning curatorial team will be announced on the week commencing 25 September.
So, think you have what it takes? View the full details of the open call including who can apply and the selection criteria here.
