Singapore Architecture @ The Venice Biennale
 
DesignSingapore Council presented the Singapore Pavilion for the first time in the Venice Biennale 9th International Architecture Exhibition. The inaugural Singapore Pavilion also marked the first participation from an ASEAN country. The exhibition is co-organised with National Heritage Board and National Arts Council and ran from 12 September to 7 November 2004 in Venice, Italy. Singapore’s participation is part of DesignSingapore’s strategy to promote local designers through overseas international platforms. Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang, was the Guest-of-Honour for Singapore’s Exhibition Inauguration Ceremony on 10 Sep 2004.

The theme for the 9th International Architecture Exhibition was ‘Metamorph’, and Singapore presented ‘Second Nature’ which explored the relationship between architecture and nature, and how it affects our lifestyles. The curation of the project was undertaken by Dr Wong Yunn Chii and his team at the National University of Singapore.

Second Nature as a title addresses two aspects of the curatorial intent: a) the re-development of Singapore's urban landscape, and b) the emergence of a design sensibility among Singapore's architects towards a modern urban, tropical aesthetic. The curatorial team from the National University of Singapore, Department of Architecture has selected 15 works from 13 local architectural firms and the National Parks Board for the exhibition.

The exhibition includes a mosaic room that features a skyline of modern-day Singapore. It is formed by an extensive collection of images that captures historical buildings and places of significance. Partnering the Skyline are four Timeline panels succinctly archiving Singapore’s history and cultural statistics. Peripheral events of evening screenings highlight the latest development in Singapore’s multi-disciplinary design scene.

The Venice Biennale started as a showcase of Italian art in 1895, eventually becoming the oldest and most important international visual art event in the world. As an international platform for contemporary art, it does not limit its cultural spectrum to that of the visual arts.  It has evolved over the years to include architecture, music, cinema, dance and theatre. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people to each event and is recognised as the most strategic and high-profiled cultural event of its kind. 

The national pavilion featured works from:
1. Arc10 Studio Architecture + Urbanism
2. RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd
3. W Architects Pte
4. MAPS Design Studio
5. SCDA Architects Pte Ltd
6. Kay Ngee Tan Architects
7. CPG Consultants Pte Ltd
8. WOHA Designs Pte Ltd
9. Forum Architects
10. DP Architects Pte Ltd with Michael Wilford & Partners
11. Architects 61 Pte Ltd With Kohn Pedersen Fox
12. Akitek Tenggara
13. Surbana Consultants Pte Ltd
14. National Parks Board, Singapore

Meanwhile, follow this link to the press release:
http://www.mita.gov.sg/pressroom/press_040601.html