Edition: 16. International Architecture Exhibition - Freespace directed by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara (26 May - 25 November 2018)
Title of the Italian Pavilion: Arcipelago Italia
Curator: Mario Cucinella
Commissioner: Federica Galloni
Catalogue: Arcipelago Italia: progetti per il futuro dei territori interni del Paese, 16. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura La Biennale di Venezia, a cura di Mario Cucinella, Quodlibet, Macerata 2018
The Italian Pavilion at the 16. International Architecture Exhibition of Biennale di Venezia (26 May - 25 November 2018), supported and promoted by the Directorate-General, is curated by Mario Cucinella with the title Arcipelago Italia.
"Arcipelago Italia is a manifesto indicating possible ways forward for the relaunch of inland areas, to give architecture new value and importance and for the work of architects to once again play a role of social responsibility". This is how Mario Cucinella presents his project for the Italian Pavilion at Tese delle Vergini in Arsenale.
Arcipelago Italia. Progetti per il futuro dei territori interni del Paese concentra la sua attenzione sullo spazio urbano, lungo la dorsale italiana, dall’Arco Alpino, lungo l’Appennino, sino al Mediterraneo. Un percorso caratterizzato dalla selezione di architetture di qualità, realizzate negli ultimi anni, esito di una call promossa dal curatore. L’obiettivo della call è conoscere esempi che sottolineano il ruolo che l’architettura contemporanea può svolgere all’interno di insediamenti distanti dai grandi centri urbani ed estranei alle dinamiche delle città metropolitane, spesso percepiti come luoghi marginali e di passaggio, ma che possono riacquistare centralità nel dialogo tra nuove esigenze e stratificazione storica del paesaggio.
A cognitive journey towards sustainable design solutions, starting from an investigation of the state of places, their critical aspects and peculiarities. A reflection on current issues such as the suburbs, the post earthquake period, abandoned areas, railway stations and mobility, all translated into projects identifying five areas of the country. To this end, the design of the Italian Pavilion, in its display of local best practices, presents itself as an opportunity for this country, which is opening up to international attention by outlining a strand of applied research aimed at putting project proposals into practice.
Sustainability and the environment, social inclusion and sharing of intangible heritage, earthquakes and collective memory, work and health, regeneration and contemporary creativity are the themes addressed by the Arcipelago Italia project, as well as providing support for the construction of Italy's urban agenda. All this in full recognition of architectural quality, an expression guaranteeing local aspirations and desires pursued through constant dialogue with the communities.
The five strategic areas identified are: Barbagia with the Ottana plain, in the central region of Sardinia, which extends along the flanks of the Gennargentu massif; the Valle del Belice with a focus on Gibellina, in western Sicily in the province of Trapani; Matera in its relationship with the Valle del Basento; the Cratere and Camerino with the area of central Italy affected by the 2016 earthquake; the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines with a focus on the Parco delle Foreste Casentinesi.
Arcipelago Italia – Official website
Arcipelago Italia – Press release
Arcipelago Italia – Call (scadenza 10 luglio 2017)
Arcipelago Italia – Cartella stampa
Arcipelago Italia – Press kit
Arcipelago Italia – Cinque progetti sperimentali
Arcipelago Italia – Dalle periferie al post sisma
Arcipelago Italia – Otto itinerari
Related event: Workshop
Related event: Arcipelago Scuola
Ultimo aggiornamento in data 21 March 2025