May 26–Nov 25, 2018

Living with Water

The Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO)
Address
Sestiere Castello, 30122 Venedig Map
Hours
Mon–Sun 10am–6pm

MAO presents the project Living with Water in the Pavilion of Slovenia at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

Living with water is a daily fact of life in Slovenia, more than it might seem at first glance. Water – from rivers to glacial lakes, waterfalls, torrential hills, gullies, bogs, disappearing lakes, bays, karst and thermal springs – is one of the most potent and decisive factors determining both Slovenia’s landscapes and its supply of drinking water. Water is part of myriad myths and the subconscious, of thought and creativity, politics and protest. At the same time, water is full of opposites. Because of water life in Slovenia is enjoyable and satisfying, but at the same time water represents a particular danger. Nearly 160,000 Slovenian inhabitants live in flood-prone areas and some 50 to 70 floods both smaller and larger affect Slovenia every year. Forecasts show, however, that, with more frequent and more intense extreme weather events these numbers will continue to grow. At the same time the right to drinking water has been enshrined in the Constitution since 2016, and almost one-fifth of Slovenia’s territory is protected in order to safeguard drinking water resources. On the other hand, many concessions for the management of important water resources have been granted to corporations. A multidisciplinary team of 13 architects, landscape architects, urban planners, researchers and strategists explores and discusses the relationship between architecture and water both past and present and what a relationship should look like in the future. How to re-think water management and the protection of water resources? By understanding all the complexity and interconnectedness of natural and anthropogenic water systems and by developing alternative models, can we create a new, fairer, safer and less invasive living environment? Water management requires the input of informed people and important political decisions. The controversial and notorious unrealised Slovenian Parliament by architect Jože Plečnik, which incorporates a fountain hidden under the main hall designed as and meant to represent a mythical source of wisdom for the deputies, seems like an ideal space to talk about these pressing issues.

Commissioner / Curator
Matevž Čelik

Exhibitors / Participants
Ana Abram / Tim Daniel Battelino / Bradley Cantrell / Moa Carlsson / Matt Choot / Nina Granda / Matevž Granda / Ulrika Karlsson / David J Klein / Miloš Kosec / Maj Plemenitaš / Bika Rebek / Marta Vahtar

Project collaborators
Ajda Bračič / Lucia Tahan / Andrej Stražišar / Emma Mendel

Commissioner’s assistant: Nikola Pongrac

Exhibition Design: Bika Rebek / Some Place
Graphic Design: Benja Pavlin / Matevž Granda
Website: Benja Pavlin

Produced by MAO, Museum of Architecture and Design
Financed by Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Culture
Ambassador & The official water of Slovenian pavilion: Costella d.o.o.
Supported by: Strle Svetila d.o.o.