the exhibition
The curators behind the exhibition Fair Building believe that construction sites represent the frontline in architecture; it is the physical manifestation of any live project and despite technological advancements is still led largely by manual labour. The contribution from these workers is missing from architectural discourse and construction processes remain unpredictable. In a consumer-driven culture we can be more concerned with the standards involved in making chocolate bars than the buildings and spaces that frame contemporary society. This exhibition will focus on the ethical issues surrounding the construction industry and the views of those directly involved.
The pavilion within the Giardini is divided up into two parts. The main section is made up of a module scaffolding installation that forms a direct physical connection to the building site. Documentary videos are screened simultaneously, featuring stories about construction workers, each focusing on a key angle to the industry's work conditions and construction works characteristics. The other part of the exhibition, resembling an investor’s showroom apartment, explores the industry in numbers with the use of info-graphics and an animated promotional video.
Fair Building, 2016, 5-channel video installation, Sand, 3’11”; Concrete, 6’03”; Plasters, 3’33”; Height, 3’24”; Love, 2’16”
Stories on work experience at construction sites used in the videos were shared by Andrzej Dąbrowski, Mateusz Heppner, Jacek Szyszka, Piotr Nowak, Arkadiusz Hiller, Damian Musiał.
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Polish Pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2016
Fair Building
Curator: Dominika Janicka
Curatorial collaboration: Martyna Janicka and Michał Gdak
Polish Pavilion Commissioner: Hanna Wróblewska
Deputy commissioner: Joanna Waśko
Organizer: Zachęta – National Gallery of Art
pl. Małachowskiego 3
00-916 Warsaw, Poland
Polish participation at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia was made possible through the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
