The main theme of the Russian Pavilion at XV International Architectural Bienniale in Venice in 2016 is VDNKH (The Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) – not only the past and heritage of The Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, but also the present and future of the huge park, a lot of exhibition pavilions and the strategy of developing the territory with an aim to make it one of the main cultural platforms in Moscow.
Basic facts about VDNKH and The Russian Pavilion in Venice:
VDNKH years of construction - 1935-1955
Over 1000 of artists and architects took part in construction, building and decoration of VDNKH.
The territory of VDNKH expands 237,5 ha which is 39,5 times bigger than total area of Giardini La Biennale di Venezia where Venetian Biennale takes place which is only 6 ha.
Heritage of VDNH is 49 cultural facilities and 67 exhibition pavilions vs 30 pavilions of Giardini La Biennale di Venezia.
Attendance of VDNKH about 24 000 000 individuals per year which is close to the number of tourists visiting Venice annualy.
The Russian Pavilion is situated at central alley of Giardini La Biennale di Venezia - one of the most visited places during the Biennale.
Retrospective exhibition about VDNKH seems to be not very much interesting for professional visitors of architechtural biennale due to its simplicity, since it shows only historical and architectural heritage of the place. In this regards main objective of the exposition is reconsideration of VDNH philosophical concept as an existing model of the ideal world and the search of an answer to a question “What is an ideal world (now)? / What represents the ideal world today?” This idea allows to find a new angle for contemplation of the past, the present and the future of VDNKH.
Throughout the history of a mankind people seek to create an ideal world around themselves, whether it is a palace, a garden or an ideal society. The idea of ideal world significantly changes over time depending on a set of factors. The exposition doesn't give a definite answer, and, contrary, suggests the visitor to think of that represents the modern ideal world.