There are transformative efforts at play which are reprogramming an inert region beyond the delineations of separate nation-states. The Baltic Pavilion intends to explore the built environment of the Baltic States as a shared space of ideas. This exhibition and a series of related events presents a cross-section of Baltic space. In light of the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch, the developments in this region will unfold as a non-linear stratigraphy.
The Baltic Pavilion attempts to unravel the conventions and instruments operated by a wide range of spatial practices, industries, and infrastructures that are actively transforming the built space of the three Baltic States and wider region. Without distinguishing between abstract ideas and their material projections, the exhibition will seek to distill parameters and thought structures that enable formulation of a range of spatial interventions to reconfigure the inert built environment.
The Baltic Pavilion provides the occasion for “Giobatta Gianquinto” – a brutalist architecture sports hall – to be open to visitors of the International Architecture Exhibition for the first time. The tall concrete wall, cast in-situ, features an upright perimeter extrusion provides a stepped piazza – a clearing in dense historical city fabric. Designed by Enrichetto Capuzzo, the building is actively used by the Venetian community for sports activities since the 1970s.
The Baltic Pavilion is situated at Palasport Arsenale “Giobatta Gianquinto”. The space is located next to the main Arsenale exhibition grounds at Calle San Biagio, 2132 Castello, Venice.
Curators:
Kārlis Bērziņš, Jurga Daubaraitė, Petras Išora, Ona Lozuraitytė, Niklāvs Paegle, Dagnija Smilga, Johan Tali, Laila Zariņa, Jonas Žukauskas
Commissioners:
Raul Järg (EE), Jānis Dripe (LV), Ona Lozuraitytė (LT), Jonas Žukauskas (LT)
Photography: David Grandorge