La Biennale di Venezia

摘要

(es) our lives? This question is the main focus of (rnational) Venice Architecture Exhibition. (Direc-) Aravena, Chilean architect and winner of the (), has put this question under the general theme "Reporting from the Front". This martial-sounding title suggests war-like conditions in the global architecture business. And initially one asks oneself where exactly these fronts run: between regions, technologies, social classes or ideologies? In the main Biennale exhibition Aravena defines more precisely those diverse areas of the discourse where he identifies critical fronts. And he does this throughout the entire world: this is perhaps the first truly global Architecture Biennale. In an interview Aravena disarmingly says that actually the focus is on the elementary question about those works and strategies of architecture that bring about a direct improvement of our lives. Not only in developing and emerging countries but also in Europe and North America. That is to say the question about architecture's social role. It is shown that improving life is a relative matter: while in developing or war-torn countries elementary needs for security, housing and stable social structures rank at the top of the architecture agenda; with us the debate takes place largely in the areas of technology and aesthetics. Our biennale panorama presents six theme-based essays that inform readers about the most important showplaces of the architectural improvement of life and of the world. Our authors also discuss a number of striking national contributions to the Biennale that do not always stick closely to the general motto - often greatly to the benefit of the event. To summarise: after the research-motivated "Fundamentals" about which Rem Koolhaas reported in Venice in 2014, now it's down to business: "Enough research" is essentially what Avarena seems to say, "Now it's time for the discipline to finally show what it can really do for people." Those who left the 2014 Biennale rather puzzled will this year breathe a sigh of relief: architects still make useful contributions to social progress.