Icelandic Pavilion to Explore Bathing Culture at 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale
The Icelandic Pavilion is set to showcase "SOAK: Rituals of Collective Belonging" at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice. This exhibition, which addresses Iceland's traditional bathing practices, will be presented from May 8 to November 21, 2027. Halla Helgadóttir leads the initiative, with Marcos Zotes as the curator, and includes collaborations with Basalt Architects, Gagarin, and artist Rán Flygenring. This marks Iceland's second participation in the Biennale, after presenting "Lavaforming" in 2025. Highlighting geothermal public pools recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the exhibit emphasizes their importance to Icelandic community life.
Key facts
- Icelandic Pavilion at 20th Venice Architecture Biennale presents SOAK: Rituals of Collective Belonging
- Exhibition examines Iceland's bathing culture as civic infrastructure
- Commissioned by Halla Helgadóttir, Iceland Design and Architecture
- Curated by Marcos Zotes, partner at Basalt Architects
- Collaboration between Basalt Architects, Gagarin, and Rán Flygenring
- Second Icelandic participation selected through open call; first was Lavaforming in 2025
- Iceland's bathing culture recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Biennale runs May 8 to November 21, 2027, curated by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu
Entities
Artists
- Marcos Zotes
- Rán Flygenring
- Hrólfur Karl Cela
- Perla Dís Kristinsdóttir
- Kristín Eva Ólafsdóttir
- Nils Wiberg
- Halla Helgadóttir
- Wang Shu
- Lu Wenyu
Institutions
- Icelandic Pavilion
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Iceland Design and Architecture
- Basalt Architects
- Gagarin
- UNESCO
- ArchDaily
Locations
- Iceland
- Venice
- Italy
- Blue Lagoon