Australia’s Verdant Display at the Venice Architecture Biennale

Australia’s contribution to the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale has been unveiled, exhibiting more than 10,000 native Australian grassland plants arranged around the Denton Corker Marshall-designed pavilion.

The Australian Pavilion officially opened on Sunday, with over 200 leading names in architecture and design taking in a tour of vast greenery and light.

Presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, this year’s exhibition, Repair, by Melbourne architects Baracco+Wright (Louise Wright and Mauro Baracco), collaborating with artist Linda Tegg, will focus on architecture’s impact on the natural world.

The “Grasslands Repair” exhibit houses some 10,000 plants, including 65 species from the Western Plains. The field of vegetation, titled Grasslands, highlights that one per cent of threatened species are left in their native Australian environment.

Related reading: Australian Projects to Feature in 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale

The installation set across indoor and outdoor spaces, sustained by Skylight – 100 LED lights suspended between the ceiling and the grassland, will occupy the same amount of space as a typical Australian family-sized house.

What was particularly important in conceiving of and executing this project, was the notion of taking care and taking one’s time,” architect Mauro Baracco said.

“This was deliberately not a short process; from the seeding of these plants eight months ago in Sanremo, nurturing them to life, and ultimately realising the installation in Venice, we wanted to demonstrate that by showcasing a deep sense of care in our process – and by being mindful of the land we occupy as architects – we could hopefully invite our profession (and the broader public) to think about the opportunity that lies in doing so also.”

The exhibit features a further two components including Skylight – a custom-designed lighting installation, which is complemented by Ground – a video series projected on 5 x 8-metre screens inside the Pavilion. It will showcase 15 architectural projects selected by the Australian Pavilion’s creative team that unpack diverse iterations of repair.

Commissioner of the Australian Exhibition, Janet Holmes à Court said that the Venice Biennale gives Australia the opportunity to showcase its architectural talent on a global stage.

“This year’s Pavilion — as envisaged by our creative team — has asked us to consider some deeply important questions facing our community.

“It is my hope that our Pavilion kick-starts a discussion that begins here in Venice, but that permeates globally.”

Seventy-one countries will feature in the 2018 event with more than 600,000 visitors expected over the next six months.