The Happenstance
WAVEparticle selected as Lead Artists / Curators of Scotland’s contribution to the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
WAVEparticle has been invited by the Scottish Government, in partnership with Architecture and Design Scotland, Creative Scotland, the British Council Scotland, and Young Scot, to curate a distinctive Scottish presence at La Biennale di Venezia’s 2018 International Architecture Exhibition.
The theme of the Biennale Architettura 2018 is Freespace, whilst in Scotland the project is framed as part of the Year of Young People. To respond to this WAVEparticle is bringing teams of artists and architects together to explore how public space, non-space, stalled space and civic space, all have the potential to change and grow, depending on how we choose to occupy them. We cite various ideas that are homegrown and developed in Scotland, a country interested in grassroots, community-led processes that inform emerging places.These are ideas we have intimate knowledge of and think should be discussed and celebrated in Venice. We are exploring what can be built through mapping connections, bringing together needs, resources and ideas of Freespace in both Scotland and Venice.
The Happenstance establishes a Freespace in the garden at the heart of Palazzo Zenobio in Venice- to host all-comers, inviting locals, visitors, participants and our core team to build new possibilities together for the freedoms we urgently need to claim. The space acts as an active archive, focussed on the event nature of live situations – exploring how we can intervene in our own lives and the circumstances that shape us. Like the tradition of Speakers’ Corner, it is a place to take a stance, to present a proposition, to articulate your idea on the theme of Freespace.
Our team of Artists and Architects encourage everyone into a vital relationship with the built environment, using play as an active agent within the process of rethinking and reclaiming their Freespace. At the heart of Zenobio you will find a focus on young people, their imagination harnessed to empower this energy in all of us.
Our live programme will include animating other spaces out in Venice. Likewise our Outdoor Cinema screenings will focus on inspiring examples of individuals, organisations and situations that underscore this year’s Biennale theme.
We have a proposition for the visitor to our garden at Palazzo Zenobio- expect to get lucky! This is the art of Happenstance.
The Happenstance activities will be based at Palazzo Zenobio from 25th May – 25 November 2018 (Collegio Armeno Moorat Raphael, Dorsoduro 2596, Venezia 30123).
View The Happenstance video trailer
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Architecture and Design Scotland
