The British Council has announced the curatorial team that will represent Great Britain at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Image courtesy of British Council
Words by Sonia Zhuravlyova
The British Council has selected a team of architects and curators to represent the UK at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2023. The curatorial team comprises Jayden Ali, Joseph Henry, Meneesha Kellay and Sumitra Upham.
The exhibition in the British Pavilion will explore non-extractive material culture and look at how diasporic craft can help foster a more sustainable future for British architecture, built on principles of care and fairness over extraction and exploitation.
The curators will collaborate with architects, researchers and makers to examine collective construction methods and processes that avoid exploiting people and the planet.
Jayden Ali is the founding director of interdisciplinary practice JA Projects and a senior lecturer at Central Saint Martins; Joseph Henry is a designer and urbanist, co-founder of platform Sound Advice and works as part of the culture and creative industries team at the Greater London Authority; Meneesha Kellay is the contemporary programme curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum; and Sumitra Upham is a curator and writer, currently head of public programmes at the Crafts Council.
Image courtesy of British Council
‘Our exhibition will explore architecture of the diaspora through a pre-colonial lens, celebrating the spectrum of architectural philosophies, making practices and material knowledge within those communities,’ said the curatorial team.‘Foregrounding their currency at a time of growing social polarisation and ecological degradation, we intend to amplify voices and perspectives that have been previously overlooked in British architecture. Our pavilion will readdress the architectural canon through a joyful celebration of pluralism.’
The British Council has been commissioning the British Pavilion in Venice since 1937, showcasing the best of the UK’s artists, architects, designers and curators. ‘The British Pavilion presents a unique opportunity to reach an international audience on the world’s most prestigious platform for architecture,’ shared Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture Design Fashion at the British Council.
‘This commission will demonstrate how we can rethink our built environment and the architectural canon through a decolonial lens and learn from diaspora communities and cultures to create a more equitable, sustainable, healthier and joyful future.’
The 18th International Architecture Exhibition will be held from 20 May 20 to 26 November 2023
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