a framework of bamboo poles supports a series of chairs in herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei’s installation
image © designboom
the italian pavilion housed a number of projects by international creatives, including the installation ‘mock up, beijing’ by swiss architects herzog & de meuron and chinese artist ai weiwei. during the opening days of the biennale, the installation was a work in progress, allowing visitors to watch the construction of the bamboo framework which was completed by traditional builder.
a framework of bamboo poles supports a series of chairs in herzog & de meuron and ai weiwei‘s installation image © designboom
image © designboom
a chair sits high upon the bamboo structure image © designboom
a small bamboo stool waits its turn to be included in the structure image © designboom
construction detail of the bamboo framework with chairs attached image © designboom
image © designboom
bamboo chairs are placed along the framework of bamboo poles image © designboom
overall view of progress being made image © designboom
the grand entrance leading into the exhibition image © designboom
image © designboom
the grand entrance hall was wallpapered in a dense neon graphic print titled ”vorwand (pretext)’ by german architect jürgen meyer
the completed installation image © designboom
image © designboom
photocredit: http://www.herzogdemeuron-film.com
once again, for this massive, evolving installation the architects herzog & de meuron have been working closely with artist ai weiwei, the son of two poets who were exiled and made to clean toilets during mao zedong’s cultural revolution. he is one of the chinese government’s most prominent internal critics. their installation is featured in the experimental architecture section of the italian pavilion.
more ai wei wei: http://www.aiweiwei.com venice architecture biennale: http://www.labiennale.org
