Canada Pavilion at 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale: Restoration and Indigenous Focus

The Canada Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, designed by BBPR in 1958, is undergoing a major restoration funded by the National Gallery of Canada with CAD 3 million, led by architects Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Troels Bruun, and Gordon Filewych. The reopening will feature the exhibition "Canada Builds a Pavilion in Venice," curated by Réjean Legault and Cammie McAtee, exploring why BBPR was commissioned. The curatorial program for Freespace, selected by the Canada Council for the Arts, is "UNCEDED" coordinated by Douglas Cardinal with Anishnawbe Elders, focusing on Indigenous architecture of Turtle Island. Co-curators include Gerald McMaster and David Fortin. The Canada Council doubled its investment to CAD 500,000. The team includes 18 Indigenous designers, such as Patrick Stewart. Simon Brault, Director of the Canada Council, emphasized reconciliation and questioning built environments.