What are these exhibitions for? Modern Art is the answer, Modern of what is happening in each country. Let’s see what the UK has to say.
Nationalism is overcome by art, the British Pavilion bows before its hosts saying: W are here to celebrate you, serve your needs. We are the platform for discussion.
The villa Frankenstein designed by muf is made in Venice using local materials and local craftsmen (contrary to previous exhibitions made in Britain and shipped to Venice). It is absolutely dedicated to Venice as a theme: the British artists Steve Mcqueen’s film ‘Giardini’ features the very exhibition site once it has been closed. Every year, a spectacle of nature acts itself around empty national buildings left standing in the Venetian garden. Nature takes part in exhibition in yet another way: local scientist discussion on fate of Venice and its lagoon, marshes being a part of exhibition itself. Venice features in the pavilion exhibition of photograph of Ruskin and Gavagnin. The most UK national among components of villa and its exhibits is the 1:10 model of Olympics 2012 station. This is made to be platform, forum for discussion and meeting with a space underneath for ecological experimentation by children. Olympics is a multicultural event bringing people together as well. All these level of interrelations in the British Pavilion! Nature, ecology, sustainability, participation and discussion on multinational level seem to be the messages.
It’s interesting to listen and read about this description of a pavilion and arts which is to represent modern British arts movement. Has Britain given away its identity or is it looking beyond it’s own boundaries. It does stand in contrast with recent British polices ever more emphasising national identity and separation from Europe. Are British artist and architects misrepresenting their county or are they being the eye-opening explorers of neighbouring cultures and word wide issues, or are they just advocating what’s in fashion? Interesting times.
It's true British pavilions often bypass the point. I'll be interested to see what happens at the Olympic opening ceremony when a country's identity is meant to be celebrated, what will they choose? The ceremonies romanticise a countries past, it's what they don't include that's interesting. Will we glorify the commonwealth without looking at the process of acquisition, or will it be ignored all together and just treated as 'diverse culture'.
ReplyDeleteBeijing - cultural revolution.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4493413.ece