For the first time, a general theme was given to the national pavilions at this year’s Architecture Biennale in Venice. They were to be historical shows, focused on the impact of modernity on a country’s architecture. What it produced was not just a global survey of twentieth century construction, but also heroic stories of nation-building. Yes, architecture can build nations. Today, we seem far from that notion. The nation-state is either giving up on itself, or exploited through tyrannical regimes. Meanwhile architects are hardly taking up the cause.
We're very busy building up The Good Cause exhibition at the Architekturmuseum der TU München. Tomorrow at 7 PM is the official opening. At the same time we will be celebrating the launch of Volume's 40th issue, Architecture of Peace Reloaded.
