Ukraine Pavilion 'Pool of Questions' at Venice Architecture Biennale 2027 Tackles Displacement and Shared Space
During the 20th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, the Ukrainian pavilion showcases 'Pool of Questions', an installation by the CO-HATY initiative, which has been revitalizing abandoned structures in Ukraine for internally displaced individuals since 2022. This installation features a shallow basin filled with water and video displays that capture CO-HATY's tenth housing project in Kalush, a repurposed kindergarten now accommodating over 100 displaced people. Filmmaker Nadia Parfan is documenting the restoration efforts and community workshops. Additionally, the pavilion presents a book titled 'Beyond Shelter' and a public program. Curators emphasize the water's reflection as a symbol of the contrast between visitors' stillness and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Other participating countries include Turkey, Australia, Austria, and Switzerland.
Key facts
- The Ukrainian pavilion at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will feature 'Pool of Questions'.
- CO-HATY, a volunteer initiative restoring abandoned buildings in Ukraine, is designing the pavilion.
- CO-HATY's team includes METALAB and relocated members of Urban Curators; it has been active since 2022.
- The project references CO-HATY's tenth housing initiative in Kalush, a former Soviet-era kindergarten housing over 100 displaced people.
- The installation consists of a shallow dark water basin and video installations portraying perspectives of residents, cleaning staff, administration, and an architect.
- Filmmaker Nadia Parfan is documenting the Kalush process; videos will accumulate during the Biennale.
- The pavilion will include the installation, a book titled 'Beyond Shelter', and a public program.
- Other pavilions with themes: Turkey ('Spolia Futures'), Australia ('Lived In'), Austria (response to absence of Bosnian pavilion), Switzerland (water as territorial condition).
Entities
Artists
- Natalka Dnes
- Tanya Pashynska
- Anna Pashynska
- Antonia Piñeiro
- Nadia Parfan
- Wang Shu
- Lu Wenyu
- Andrii Sydoruk
- Oleksander Demyaniv
- Taras Shyyan
Institutions
- CO-HATY
- METALAB
- Urban Curators
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Ukrainian Urban Curators
Locations
- Ukraine
- Venice
- Italy
- Kalush
- Turkey
- Australia
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Bosnia
- Türkiye
- Bosnia and Herzegovina