The Venice Biennale - Swiss Pavilion

The Swiss Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is one of the national pavilions located in the Biennale Gardens, an area dedicated to international art exhibitions dating back to the early 20th century. Inaugurated in 1952, the pavilion was designed by Swiss architect Bruno Giacometti, brother of the famous sculptor Alberto Giacometti, and represents a significant example of modernist architecture. The design of the pavilion reflects modernist principles of functionality and simplicity, with clean lines and careful use of materials. The structure of the pavilion is characterized by a rectangular plan, large windows that allow natural light to enter, and flexible interior spaces that can be adapted to different exhibition needs. The choice of materials, including glass and concrete, highlights the intention to create a neutral and versatile environment, capable of showcasing the exhibited artworks without distractions. Over the years, the Swiss Pavilion has hosted a wide range of exhibitions, ranging from visual art to architecture, photography to performance art. Each edition of the Biennale offers the opportunity for new curators and artists to reinterpret the space, presenting works that reflect contemporary themes and relevant social issues. One of the distinctive aspects of the Swiss Pavilion is its ability to combine innovation and tradition. The artists selected to exhibit in the pavilion often explore themes related to Swiss cultural identity, collective memory, and global dynamics, using innovative artistic languages. For example, at the 2019 Biennale, the exhibition titled “Moving Backwards” by artists Pauline Boudry and Renate Lorenz explored themes of political and social resistance through a video installation and a performance that challenged conventions of movement and temporality. The Swiss Pavilion also has a long tradition of engagement with architecture. At the 2018 Architecture Biennale, the exhibition “Switzerland 240: House Tour,” curated by Alessandro Bosshard, Li Tavor, Matthew van der Ploeg, and Ani Vihervaara, won the Golden Lion for the best national participation. This installation transformed the pavilion into a series of 1:1 scale rooms, exploring the standardization of residential architecture and inviting visitors to reflect on their personal experiences of domestic space. From a historical perspective, the Swiss Pavilion has played an important role in promoting Swiss art and culture internationally. Switzerland’s participation in the Venice Biennale began in 1920, but it was only with the construction of the permanent pavilion in 1952 that the country was able to consolidate its presence and commitment to cultural promotion. This space has seen the presentation of works by world-renowned Swiss artists such as Jean Tinguely, Pipilotti Rist, and Fischli & Weiss, who have helped define Switzerland’s artistic identity in a global context. An interesting anecdote concerns the inauguration of the pavilion in 1952, in the presence of numerous personalities from the art and culture world. Bruno Giacometti’s project was highly appreciated for its elegance and functionality, and its opening marked the beginning of a new era for Switzerland’s participation in the Venice Biennale.