01 June 2016 – Marking the historic first participation of the Philippines in la Biennale di Venezia’s International Architecture Exhibition (IAE), the Philippine Pavilion had its vernissage today at the Palazzo Mora in Venice. Entitled “MUHON: Traces of an Adolescent City” and curated by Leandro V. Locsin Partners, the pavilion features the country’s most prominent architects and contemporary visual artists, among them Ed Calma, Jorge Yulo, Bambi Mañosa, Lima Architecture, 8x8 Design Studio, C|S Design, Poklong Anading, Mark Salvatus, and Tad Ermitaño.
Leading the attendees of the vernissage are Senator Loren Legarda, the visionary behind the Philippines’ return to the Biennale, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Adelina Suemith, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Director Maria Elena Algabre, Ambassador Domingo Nolasco of the Philippine Embassy in Rome, and Vice Consul Flaureen Dacanay of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan.
Following last year’s triumphant return to the Venice Art Biennale, the Philippines’ participation in the IAE is made possible by the combined efforts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the office of Senator Legarda, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In her message, the Honorable Senator emphasized that through this participation in the IAE, the Philippines is able to lend its voice to the rest of the world in seeking a sustainable future for all. The Senator also proudly announced the participation of the Philippines in the 2017 Venice Art Biennale in the Arsenale, one of the two main halls of the Biennale, saying this is only possible though the continued collaboration and robust support given by NCCA and the DFA.
The Philippine Pavilion may be visited from May 28 to November 27, 2016 at the Palazzo Mora in Strada Nuova 3659, Venice, Italy.
The 15th IAE, Reporting From the Front, is curated by world-renowned architect Alejandro Aravena. END