Within the gardens of the Venice Biennale, a homage to the Australian swimming pool
Venetians, like Australians, are lured to water. The city's glistening canals and lagoons, akin to Australia's sparkling harbours, beaches, and of course, swimming pools.
The shared passion for water is celebrated in Australia's contribution to the architcture stream of this year's Venice Biennale. At Biennale Architettura 2016, Australia will present 'The Pool' -an exhibition that explores the relationship between architecture, water and Australian cultural identity. Showcased at The Australian Pavilion, in Venice, the exhibition is open to the public from May 28 to November 27.
The cultural exchange between Italy and Australia has long been celebrated at the world's most important, must see art event, the famous Venice Biennale.
Since 1954 Australian artists have presented work at the Biennale. Since 1988, Australia has been one of only 29 countries with a permanent national pavilion dedicated to sharing Australian art and culture with local Italian and international visitors.
Australia's newly designed canal side pavilion was unveiled last year. Located within the lush gardens of the prestigious Giardini della Biennale, the historic parkland home of the Biennale, the striking box shaped building was designed by Melbourne-based architecture firm Denton Corker Marshall.
Made from soaring panels of South Australian granite, the walls of the pavilion rotate and open onto parkland and the nearby canal. The structure has been likened to a chic shipping container. The architects are said to have been inspired by the idea of shipping Australian art across the water to a new home in Venice for all the world to see.
For more information about the Biennale Architettura 2016 - visitwww.labiennale.org/en/architecture
Image: vizualisation of the Australian Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale. Image Courtesy of Australian Institute of Architects.