venice biennale 2012: mexico pavilion renovates venetian church

san lorenzo church in venice, italy

the mexico pavilion at the 13th international architecture exhibition will be titled ‘culture under construction | the collectivity of cultural space’. collaborating with the city of venice, mexico is restoring the church of san lorenzo as part of their exhibition this year to become a permanent home for the country’s work in future art and architecture biennales for the next nine years. this represents a commitment to present the best creations from its artists and architects as well as positively benefiting the local and treasured architectural heritage.

since the interior will not be prepared for visitors to enter during the 2012 edition, individuals are encourage to observe the ongoing work from the entrance. placing the act of construction as the emphasis of the experience, the exhibit will also consist of thirteen projects curated by miguel adrià including cultural centers, libraries, museums, galleries, cinemas, plazas and parks, either completed are nearing completion. all the selected examples are spaces intended for public use, foreshadowing the contributions of the future church.

piazza in front of the church entry

current state of interior construction work

scaffolding in place

current ground plane

photo montage of pavilion entry

elevation

banner detail

floor plan / level 0

ciudad de los libros

construction for the ciudad de los libros image © jaime navarro

la tallera siqueiros image © rafael gamo

la tallera siqueiros image © rafael gamo

centro cultural de espana image © manuel gamo

centro cultural san pablo image © luis gordoa

galeria kurimanzutto

galeria kurimanzutto

museo laberinto de las ciencias y las artes de san luis potosi image © allen vallejo

title of the exhibition: culture under construction | the collectivity of cultural space venue: ex-chiesa di san lorenzo, campo san lorenzo, venice, italy commissioner: gastón ramírez feltrín. curator: miquel adrià organization: national fine arts institute and the national council for culture and the arts producing institutions: méxico: national fine arts institute. italy: green spin s.r.l. vicenza – venice dates: 29.08.2012 – 25.11.2012 official opening: 27.08.2012 – during the preview 27.07.2012 – 28.07 open from 10:00 to 20:00 opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 – tuesday to sunday – closed on mondays

the 13th international architecture biennale is curated by london-based architect david chipperfield. the theme of the event is entitled ‘common ground’ and will run from 29th of august through 25th november 2012, in venice, italy.