Introverted Commonality: the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale

摘要

We exist in a funny moment in the practice of architecture, where the profession is arguably more visible to the public than ever before, yet beset by more self-conscious questioning than ever before. The discipline is shifting and this seems to create a teenage drama where self-reflection has led to a degree of disciplinary introversion on the part of some, and innovative exploration on the part of others. This introversion is reflected in Venice this year, where 2012 Biennale Director David Chipperfield used the title Common Ground to assemble participants from a largely European context, alongside the more independent national pavilion contributions. The biennale was composed of exhibitions where architects presented architecture to an assumed audience of architects. There were few surprises.