German Pavilion at 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale Imagines 2038

The German Pavilion for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, postponed from 2020 to 2021, presents a speculative future scenario titled '2038: The New Serenity.' Curated by the group 2038, the exhibition envisions a global crisis peaking in 2023, leading to societal collapse and a shift toward Radical Democracy. This new order prioritizes resource redistribution, decentralized digital infrastructure, and weakened private property. The pavilion's concept, developed by a team including Ludwig Engel, features a hybrid physical and virtual experience. Films starring figures like Audrey Tang and Francesca Bria narrate the journey from present to 2038. The project includes a virtual pavilion accessible globally, complementing the physical space. Collaborations with Jonas Staal, Rimini Protokoll, and Goethe-Institut extend the exhibition through events such as 'Training for the Future' and 'Conference of the Absent.' The publication 'Arts of the Working Class' will distribute the concept on the streets. Films will be screened worldwide for six years, fostering local adaptations. The exhibition explores themes of geography, property, technology, and empathy, proposing a world without heroes or villains, where circular economy and AI enhance human connection.