Fabio Cavallucci on Shenzhen Biennale's Multidisciplinary Tech Focus
The 8th Bi-City Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism in Shenzhen will take place from late 2019 to spring 2020. Co-curated by Carlo Ratti (architecture) and Fabio Cavallucci with Meng Jianmin (art and science fiction), the event explores how new technologies reshape urban life. Cavallucci describes Shenzhen as a city transformed from a fishing village to a tech hub with 13 million residents, home to Tencent and Huawei. The biennale's theme examines technology's impact on human freedom, likening urban tech to 'airport freedom'—convenience that reduces autonomy. The curatorial team includes Manuela Lietti (coordinator), Wang Kuan, Zhang Li, science fiction writers Wu Yan and Chien Qiofan, and advisors Wlodek Goldkorn and Liu Cixin. Cavallucci aims to create a research-oriented yet popular exhibition, bridging architecture and art biennales.
Key facts
- 8th Bi-City Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism in Shenzhen runs late 2019 to spring 2020.
- Co-curated by Carlo Ratti (architecture) and Fabio Cavallucci with Meng Jianmin (art and science fiction).
- Theme: relationship between new technologies and the city, focusing on sociological impact.
- Shenzhen grew from a fishing village to 13 million residents, hosting Tencent and Huawei.
- Curatorial team includes Manuela Lietti, Wang Kuan, Zhang Li, Wu Yan, Chien Qiofan.
- Advisors: Wlodek Goldkorn and Liu Cixin (author of 'The Three-Body Problem').
- Cavallucci aims to create a biennale that is both scientific and popular.
- The event features two teams working in synergy on architecture and visual arts.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Ratti
- Fabio Cavallucci
- Meng Jianmin
- Manuela Lietti
- Wang Kuan
- Zhang Li
- Wu Yan
- Chien Qiofan
- Wlodek Goldkorn
- Liu Cixin
- Troy Conrad Therrien
- Morad Montazami
- Sofia Mourato
- Ewan McEoin
Institutions
- Bi-City Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism
- Tencent
- Huawei
- Guggenheim
- Tate Modern
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Artribune
Locations
- Shenzhen
- China
- Hong Kong
- Beijing
- Lisbon
- Portugal
- Melbourne
- Australia