Venice Architecture Biennale 2023: The Laboratory of the Future

The 18th International Architecture Exhibition, known as The Laboratory of the Future and curated by Lesley Lokko, takes place from May 20 to November 26, 2023, across Giardini, Arsenale, and Forte Marghera. This year, the Biennale Architettura highlights Africa and the African Diaspora, with more than half of the 89 exhibitors hailing from these areas. Organized by La Biennale di Venezia, the event features 64 National Participations, welcoming Niger and Panama for the first time. The Holy See returns with a pavilion on San Giorgio Maggiore. The Italian Pavilion, curated by Fosbury Architecture, is named SPAZIALE: Everyone Belongs to Everyone Else. Additionally, the Applied Arts Pavilion, in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum, showcases Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Power in West Africa. The inaugural Biennale College Architettura includes 15 tutors and 50 students selected from 986 candidates. An International Jury, headed by Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, will present Golden Lions for best National Participation, best participant, and a Silver Lion for an emerging talent. The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is awarded to Demas Nwoko. The exhibition focuses on themes of decolonisation and decarbonisation, with La Biennale committed to achieving carbon neutrality, certified by RINA under PAS2060. Rolex supports the Carnival programme, and the official catalogue is crafted by Die Ateljee – Fred Swart.