installation view of the romanian pavilion image © designboom

entitled ‘bolt’, the romanian pavilion was an installation of dual dimensions. the exhibition was a presentation of macro-photography of architectural projects in romania. alongside the photographs were tripod stools made by the rudari (peasant woodworkers) of northern oltenia, romania. the typical shape of the sitting devices is much like a boomerang. in contrast to the traditional stools were a display of modern day wood and metal interpretations. the ‘bolt’ installation examines how contemporary builders can grasp the vernacular tradition of romania. it looks at the poorer economy of the country and the individuals living at this current period of change after decades of oppression.

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion the traditional stools made by peasant workers in oltenia, romania stand at various heights image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion an arrangement of the ‘chair of counsel’ and ‘well’ by marian zidaru image © designboom

marian zidaru’s contribution to the romanian pavilion was the ‘counsel chair’ along with a cross, well and fence.

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion detail of the ‘chair of counsel’s’ wood construction image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion marian zidaru image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt X’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe looks like a fly with a wing-like seat and thin legs image © designboom

serban sturdzan exhibited a range of ‘bolt’ chairs which looked at the chair as a living object, existing somewhere between a piece of furniture and a garment. the three-legged metal objects all reference the traditional vaideeni chair of romania.

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt V’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt IX’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt IV’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion a ‘bolt’ chair by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt VIII’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion ‘bolt VIII’ by serban sturdza & prodid, manufactured by anghel gheorghe image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion serban sturdza image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion outside the pavilion, traditional stools made by the rudari are displayed image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion detail of traditional romanian wood tripod stool image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion pathway of woven branches, hermitage, sinca veche

photographic panels of various projects which unite nature and the built environment together are displayed with the stools.

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion wooden roofing, hermit’s retreat, sinca veche

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion large oculus, rock-hewn chapel, sinca veche

venice architecture biennale 08: romanian pavilion exterior staircase, woven hazel landing, bucharest

more serban sturdza: http://www.a2a.ro venice architecture biennale: http://www.labiennale.org