The Philippine Pavilion in the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale has opened its doors to the public following its vernissage May 27 at the 16th-century building Palazzo Mora.
It is one of the top 30 must-see events and exhibitions of the Biennale as mentioned in Wallpaper, a Time Inc. publication on design and architecture, fashion, travel, art and lifestyle.
Sen. Loren Legarda, who is behind the Philippines’ participation in the Venice Biennale, led the vernissage together with Leandro Y. Locsin Jr., representing the curators and participating artists and architects; Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco, representing the Department of Foreign Affairs; and Adelina Suemith, acting executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The exhibit, “Muhon: Traces of an Adolescent City,” was curated by Sudarshan Khadka Jr. and Juan Paolo de la Cruz of the Leandro V. Locsin Partners.
Locsin explained that the exhibit “aims to grapple with the search of identity through the built environment within the context of an aggressively expanding megacity.”
Legarda said, “‘Muhon’ reminds us that our appreciation of the past and the current actions we take will determine our future.”
Legarda and Locsin said they hoped that the exhibition would bring to the fore issues on heritage conservation and built-environment preservation.
“These nine muhon are symbols of our built heritage in our midst that we often neglect, but are part of our everyday living and of who we are,” said Legarda. “‘Muhon’ initiates a dialogue on the progress of our architecture and issues on preservation and conservation of our heritage.”
The nine participants and the subject buildings and urban elements featured in the Philippine Pavilion are Poklong Anading for KM 0; Tad Ermitaño for Pandacan Bridge; Mark Salvatus for Binondo; Eduardo Calma for the Philippine International Convention Center; Jorge Yulo for Mandarin Hotel; 8×8 Design Studio Co. for the Magsaysay Center; C|S Design Consultancy for Pasig River; Lima Architecture for Makati Stock Exchange; and Mañosa & Co. for Tahanang Pilipino or Coconut Palace.
The Philippine Pavilion is open to the public up to Nov. 27 at the European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Mora in Venice, Italy.