Latvia's Biennale Architettura Pavilion Explores Defense Landscape
The 19th International Architecture Exhibition, titled 'LANDSCAPE OF DEFENCE,' showcases the Latvian Pavilion, which focuses on national defense in the Baltic region following the Ukraine conflict. Curated by Ilka Ruby and Liene Jākobsone, the pavilion is situated at the Artiglierie dell'Arsenale. It explores the effects of living in proximity to warfare on architectural spaces. Jākobsone notes Latvia's mobilization of military and civilian resources in response to Russia's aggression, including a 450 km border fence with Belarus and Russia, equipped with patrol routes, cameras, and sensors. Bright yellow elements symbolize defense, complemented by Latvian log benches and surveillance tools. Jākobsone emphasizes the necessity of these strategies for safeguarding sovereignty and EU/NATO borders while considering the environmental implications of military infrastructure design.
Key facts
- Latvian Pavilion at 19th International Architecture Exhibition is titled 'LANDSCAPE OF DEFENCE'
- Curated by Liene Jākobsone and Ilka Ruby
- Installed at Artiglierie dell'Arsenale, Venice
- Addresses national defense after the war in Ukraine
- 450 km continuous fence built along Latvia-Russia-Belarus border
- Exhibition includes 1:1 scale replicas of defense elements
- Features surveillance cameras and TV screens showing border footage
- Project aims to initiate discussion on military infrastructure design
Entities
Artists
- Liene Jākobsone
- Ilka Ruby
Institutions
- SAMPLING
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture at the Art Academy of Latvia
- Ruby Press
- Artiglierie dell'Arsenale
- Biennale Architettura
- NATO
- European Union
- Artribune
Locations
- Latvia
- Riga
- Russia
- Belarus
- Ukraine
- Venice
- Baltic region
- Eastern Europe