Life and Leisure

Constructing off the wall concepts

By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-20 11:35

The Wind Wall Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue created for the upcoming 12th International Architecture Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia brings people in rather than keeping them out.

And also unlike most walls, it isn't made of anything solid - merely wind and light.

It is the first foray into architecture for the dynamic duo, who often join forces with creative maverick Zhang Yimou forming the "Golden Triangle Directing Team" for such major visual arts masterpieces as the ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics.

"Visitors won't sense the wall until they get close and interact with it," Fan says.

"It serves as a mirror of the Chinese philosophical concept of 'the invisible over the visible'."

The Architecture Exhibition was initiated in 1975 and is one of the world's most prestigious architectural events.

Wang explains the wall is a metaphor that extends beyond buildings to the entire world.

"If the invisible walls separating people collapse, people would live in harmony with one another, nature and other creatures," he says.

The installation also includes several bird sculptures.

"It looks like the birds are being forced to change their flight patterns when hitting the wall," Fan says.

The event features many other Chinese architects and visual artists, including architects Zhu Pei and Zhu Yufan, and contemporary visual artists Xu Lei and Wang Wei.

Zhu Pei's Yi Garden, constructed from 1,300 transparent or translucent acrylic bars, will be one of the major draws at the China Pavilion of the exhibition.

Zhu says he took inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens and calligraphy to create a sense of space.

"It is a memorable experience as an architect to construct a structure and realize I designed it with my own hands," he says.

The theme of China's participation in the global event, Here for a Chinese Appointment, was proposed by architect and critic Tang Keyang.

In its third time presenting at the event, the country hopes to present fresh and dynamic concepts from Chinese architecture to the world. Tang handpicked the country's participants.

The theme resonates with that of the larger event, "People Meet in Architecture", which was selected by Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima.

The inaugural and awarding ceremonies will take place on Aug 28 in the Giardini. The International Jury will hand out the following prizes: Golden Lion for the Best National Participation at the 12th Exhibition; Golden Lion for the Best Architect/Artist of the Exhibition People Meet in Architecture; Silver Lion for Most Promising Young Architect of the Exhibition People Meet in Architecture.

The fair will be opened to the public from Aug 29 until Nov 21 in the Giardini, Arsenale, and other locations throughout Venice. It will also present works by 53 national participants.

China Daily