April 2017

The journey towards the Australian exhibition at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale is well underway and I wanted to give you an update on the progress, behind-the-scenes.

A new Venice Biennale Committee has formed, bringing new faces and for the first time, we welcome members from outside the profession to broaden the skill-set and perspective. Chaired by Victorian Government architect Jill Garner, we welcome Luca Belgiorno-Nettis and Jamie Penrose as new members and we’re fortunate to have Helen Lochhead, Ken Maher and Rachel Neeson join us again on the Committee, imparting their knowledge and experience from previous programs.

Ahead of their usual schedule, the Board of La Biennale di Venezia has appointed the curators of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – renowned Irish duo Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara. In addition, Chairman Paolo Baratta has also hinted at the theme for 2018 saying, ‘The Exhibition curated by Alejandro Aravena offered visitors a critical overview of the worldwide evolution of architecture and underlined how important it is that a qualified demand on the part of individuals and communities be met by an equally effective response, thereby confirming that architecture is one of civil society’s instruments for organising the space in which it lives and works. Along these lines, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara will continue to address the same theme but from the point of view of the quality of the public and private space, of urban space, of the territory and of the landscape as the main ends of architecture.’

The Creative Director search has concluded and the Venice Biennale Committee is deliberating over the high calibre of submissions in order to announce the new Creative Director(s) in May. The program and timelines are in the development process. It’s an exciting time!

The Institute is working hard to secure the support from our existing corporate partners, Network Venice and the Government, without which the event wouldn’t be possible. We are, as always, very grateful for their ongoing commitment to the program. The Biennale enables Australia to engage in a global conversation, important to the future shaping of our built environment, and provides a platform for international partnerships and trade opportunities.

For 2018, the Institute is exploring new revenue streams and hopes to welcome new category sponsors to be a part of the premier international forum for showcasing and expressing Australian culture, innovation and creativity through its architecture and design.

I’ll be in touch again soon with more news on our journey towards Venice 2018.

Warm wishes,

Janet Holmes á Court AC
Commissioner, Venice Biennale 2018