The Belgian representation at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition will focus on the exploration of the architect's new relationship with resources.
The National Pavilion will be invested by Bento and Vinciane Despret who will question in "In Vivo" our system of extractivist production by identifying and developing alternatives of construction from materials from the living. Their installation will experiment on a large scale with natural and living materials, including raw earth and mycelium - the vegetative part of mushrooms.
The Pavilion will also be the site of one or more punctual events allowing the curators to broaden their approach through practical experiments (workshops) and/or exchanges (debates). Among these, the meeting (Re)thinking resources will aim to put a diversity of architects in dialogue on these issues. Around the specific practice of Bento, other examples of Belgian architectural projects and sectors that are part of a similar approach will be presented. These projects will be extracted from the latest official almanac of French-speaking Belgium Architectures Wallonie-Bruxelles. Inventories #4 which explores this type of renewed reflection on the nature, provenance, production and quantity of materials used in the building sector. The Cultural Institute of Architecture (ICA), official partner of the Ministry officially mandated for the production of this work, will ensure the organization of the event. Leading the debate during the opening of the Biennale Architettura 2023 will allow to enrich the discussion by the presence of other French-speaking architects (France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Canada) active in the field and present at the Biennale Architettura.
Venue: The event will gather about fifty people maximum, outside. It will occupy one side of the outdoor space directly adjacent to the Pavilion. The central access, towards the entrance of the pavilion, will be left free for other visitors. The technical installation will be minimal: 30 stools that will be installed only for the time of the event.
