tomáš libertíny exhibits architecture sculpted by bees at the venice biennale

among the works on view is a beeswax version of the nefertiti bust, created in collaboration with 60.000 honeybees.

sofia lekka angelopoulou May 20, 2021 3 min

tomáš libertíny participates in this year’s venice architecture biennale with ‘beehive architecture’, an exhibition of sculptural works made by bees. artworks on view include ‘eternity’, a beeswax version of the nefertiti bust created in collaboration with 60.000 honeybees (see designboom’s previous coverage here), as well as ‘the gate’ and ‘dome of constant change’, two architectural forms that are also designed by bees. the exhibition coincides with ‘world bee day’, the annual event that takes place on may 20 to raise awareness of how everyone can make a difference to support, restore and enhance the role of pollinators. tomáš libertíny exhibits architecture sculpted by bees at the venice biennale ‘the gate’

images courtesy of studio libertiny unless stated otherwise

tomáš libertíny’s ‘beehive architecture’ is part of the 17th architecture biennale titled ‘how will we live together?’, in the section ‘among diverse beings’ in the arsenale. the project includes three sculptural pieces developed ‘naturally’ by inviting bees to build their beeswax honeycombs around a prefabricated skeleton. first, ‘the gate’ (pictured above), was made by 3D printing a miniature architectural form and then letting bees to deposit wax around it. another architectural experience designed by bees is ‘dome of constant change’, which was created with the same process. tomáš libertíny exhibits architecture sculpted by bees at the venice biennale ‘the gate’ at the venice architecture biennale

image © designboom

during the exhibition at the venice biennale, visitors have the chance to experience tomáš libertíny’s sculptural works in person as well as watch videos that showcase the process behind their making. the third piece on view is ‘eternity’, which is based on the 3D model of the original portrait of the egyptian queen. the bust was created in collaboration with 60.000 bees, who were invited to build their beeswax honeycombs around its skeleton. tomáš libertíny exhibits architecture sculpted by bees at the venice biennale - 1 ‘the gate’ process

the exhibition coincides with ‘world bee day’ 2021, which is celebrated – in the midst of a still ongoing pandemic – with a virtual event titled ‘bee engaged – build back better for bees’. the event calls for global cooperation and solidarity to counter the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to food security and agricultural livelihoods alongside prioritizing environmental regeneration and pollinator protection. find out more here. tomáš libertíny exhibits architecture sculpted by bees at the venice biennale ‘the gate’ process‘the gate’