shenzhen biennale of urbanism/architecture 2013 preview

shenzhen biennale of urbanism/architecture 2013 preview
image © designboom

designboom is currently in shenzhen, china for the 5th bi-city biennale of urbanism\architecture, which offically opened its doors yesterday. divided across two locations, the theme this year is ‘urban borders’, with the event resulting in a massive re-generation of existing industrial structures within the city. the creative director and curator of the former ‘float glass factory’, ole bouman has transformed the four hectare site into the appropriately named, ‘value factory’. re-generating the originally derelict space, the biennale has been used as a catalyst for the preservation of existing structures within the once small fishing village of shenzhen. energizing its physical landscape, the new destination has created a lasting impact on the surrounding environment and cityscape.

situated at the heart of shekou port, the second venue is the ‘border warehouse,’ curated by li xiangning and jeffrey johnson. exploring the ides of ‘crossing urban boundaries’, the exhibition focuses on notions of the ‘city’ through the lens of border, boundaries and edges. the phrase itself is reflected in the chinese compound word ‘bian yuan’, the term expresses the concept of relationship, connection and opportunity. completely restoring the original 1984 structure, the venue houses pavilions from around the world, as well as providing a space to generate analysis and historical evolution of ‘borders’.

creative director and curator ole bouman
portrait © designboom

venue a: the ‘value factory’, was transformed from the original ‘guangdong float glass factory’
image © designboom

nighttime images taken from the preview visit to the ‘value factory’
image © designboom

view showing exhibitions at the ‘border warehouse’
image © designboom

‘village mountains’ by zhang ke of standardarchitecture (left) the UK pavilion, ‘liquid boundaries’ jeremy till (right)
image © designboom

physical model of ‘shanshui experiement complex’ by ma yasong of MAD architects
image © designboom

from top left: queen mathilde of belgium, curator ole bouman, ma yasong of MAD architects + liu xiaodu of urbanus, audience at the ‘value factory’
image © designboom

about UABB
bi-city biennale of urbanism\architecture (UABB) is based exclusively on the set themes of urbanism and urbanization. coorganized by the two neighboring and closely interacting cities of shenzhen and hong kong, UABB situates itself within the regional context of the rapidly urbanizing pearl river delta, concerns itself with globally common urban issues, extensively communicates and interacts with the wider public, is presented using expressions of contemporary visual culture, and engages international, avant-garde dimensions as well as discourses of public interest.

the exhibition runs from the 6 december until the 28 of feburary in shenzhen, china. we will be bringing you more updates over the next few days!