Present at the Venice Biennale for the first time, Morocco has dedicated its pavilion to developing a theme around the country’s unique contribution to the great architectural adventure of the 20th century.
Entitled Fundamental(ism)s in an allusion to the general theme proposed by Rem Koolhaas, the Pavilion of Morocco explores the radical and experimental approaches inspired by the region. In addition to having welcomed the work of international architects, Morocco has above all been a land of exploration, a veritable laboratory for the modern project.
Morocco encouraged unique architectural experiments (constructive and material, formal and architectonic, but also domestic and social) that tangibly contributed to the history of architecture. While the country’s very specific historical conditions fostered this development, the Moroccan genius has also consisted in the ability to absorb, digest, and ultimately metabolize the modern project. Perhaps this, too, is part of the Moroccan tradition—a tradition of modernity and radicality, but also of appropriation and integration.
To narrate this adventure, the Pavilion of Morocco proposes an exhibition that focuses on the fundamental question of habitation and juxtaposes a historical trajectory of urban housing with contemporary speculations on inhabitable structures in the desert.
Participants : X-tu architects, Linna Choi & Tarik Oualalou – KILO, Stefano Boeri architetti with AD LIB Architecture, Mikou Design Studio, Groupe 3 Architecture , Menis arquitectos, BOM architecture, BAO + Ultra Architettura.
Commissioner: The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Italy, His Excellency Hassan Abouyoub
Curator: Tarik Oualalou, President of the Fondation pour l’Art, le Design et l’Architecture (FADA’)
Opening: June 6th, 3:45pm
- Open:
Saturday, 07 June 2014 - Close:
Sunday, 23 November 2014 - Address:
Arsenale, Castello, 30122 Venezia - Web:
Fondation FADA’ - Opening hour:
10am – 6pm - Closing day:
Monday - Admission:
Biennale Ticket - Transport:
Arsenale stop - Photo credits:
1. © Architect’s Journal, Sydney W. Newberry, London, Nid d’abeille Sémi; 2. © Elio Germani, hôtel du Dadès Boulemane; 3. © Brian Brace Taylor, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, hôtel_du_Dadès_Boulemane; 4. ©Fond Prost, Aa.Capa.Ifa.Caa XX, Médina Fès. Courtesy of FADA’
