German Pavilion at 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale Criticized as Disappointing

The German Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, themed 'Freespace,' has been met with criticism. Curated by GRAFT (Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz, Thomas Willemeint) and Marianne Birthler, the exhibition 'Unbuilding Walls' focuses on the Berlin Wall's fall and its aftermath. The installation by Proxi.me (Christian Schärmer, Rein Steger) features dozens of wall fragments meant to symbolize the barrier's dissolution and renewed spatial permeability. Critics describe the display as clumsy, with thick proportions, elephant-foot bases, and black adhesive strips connecting the pieces, overshadowing the content. Wolfram Putz explains the curatorial choice to address walls' resurgence globally and the multi-generational process of deconstruction. The exhibition extends beyond Berlin to the Iron Curtain's path across Germany, highlighting unique wilderness and a cycling path. Two side rooms show interviews with people from countries currently divided by walls. Despite good intentions, the pavilion is deemed an unexpected disappointment due to its overcrowded installation and corporate graphic design resembling sponsor Schüco.