The Venice Biennale - Japan Pavilion

The Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is one of the most fascinating and innovative exhibition spaces in the Biennale Gardens. Inaugurated in 1956, the pavilion was designed by architect Takamasa Yoshizaka, one of Le Corbusier’s students. The structure features a modernist design that combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western architectural influences, creating a place that embodies the dialogue between past and present, East and West. Over the years, the Japanese pavilion has hosted a variety of exhibitions exploring complex and contemporary themes through different art forms, including installations, sculptures, video art, and performances. Each edition of the Biennale offers a new opportunity for Japanese artists to express their vision and address global and local issues in an innovative and provocative way. The 2023 edition, curated by Onishi Maki, presented the theme “Architecture, a place to be loved – when architecture is seen as a living creature.” This exhibition explored the potential of architecture not only as a physical space, but as a living entity that interacts with the community and the surrounding environment. The artists and architects involved, including dot architects, Akane Moriyama, and Futoshi Mizuno, created installations reflecting on how built spaces can influence and be influenced by people’s memories, stories, and experiences. A significant example of this approach is Yuko Mohri’s installation presented at the 2024 Biennale, titled “Compose.” Mohri is known for her sound installations and kinetic sculptures that use elements such as water, light, and movement to create immersive and dynamic environments. In this exhibition, she collaborated with curator Sook-Kyung Lee to explore the theme of water as a common element across different artistic and cultural practices, creating an environment that constantly changes and invites visitors to reflect on the interconnections between nature and technology. From an architectural perspective, the Japan Pavilion is an example of how architecture can be used to communicate cultural and artistic values. The pavilion’s structure, with its tent-like roof designed by Akane Moriyama, is a modern interpretation of traditional Japanese dwellings, harmoniously integrating natural elements like wind and light. Over the years, the pavilion has hosted some of the most influential contemporary Japanese artists, helping to define the landscape of modern and contemporary art. Artists like Tadao Ando, who participated in the 1988 Biennale with a series of installations exploring the relationship between man and nature, and Shigeru Ban, known for his innovative structures made from recycled materials, have used the pavilion as a platform to express their ideas and innovations. Another significant example is the participation of the artistic collective Dumb Type in the 2022 Biennale. Founded in the 1980s, this group is known for its multimedia works addressing themes such as globalization, technology, and communication. Their installation at the Biennale, characterized by rotating mirrors and lasers projecting texts on the walls, created an immersive experience that challenged visitors’ perceptions and invited them to reflect on the implications of technology in modern life.