Faysal Tabbarah, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah, has been named the curator of the UAE’s pavilion for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2023, according to the National Pavilion UAE. The focus of Tabbarah’s concept for the exhibition is on the interaction between architecture and the UAE’s arid and dry surroundings. These locations are reinterpreted as places of plenty and productivity through the research. This strategy is Faysal Tabbarah’s reaction to the theme of The Laboratory of the Future for the 2023 Venice Biennale.
“My approach will rely on integrating technology with land-based materials practices and knowledge found in arid landscapes in the UAE. Aridity is a fast-approaching future condition for many regions, and through this exhibition, we’ll explore their potential as spaces of abundance and productivity.” – curator Faysal Tabbarah
The research topic selected for this show was thought to be particularly pertinent in the current environment, since more and more communities around the world are dealing with arid conditions. The goal of the exhibition is to spark important discussions and advance the tools needed to build a more sustainable future. It also tries to alter how these areas are traditionally regarded, shifting the perception from one of lack of resources to one of richness and productivity.
It will be Tabbarah’s first time taking part in the International Architecture Exhibition as the curator of a national pavilion. At the American University of Sharjah, Faysal Tabbarah holds the positions of Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture. He co-founded Architecture + Other Things (A+OT), an experimental architecture and design practice based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in addition to his work in academics. The goal of Tabbarah’s work is to investigate the connection between local environmental and architectural imaginaries across all platforms. He intends to contribute to the development of alternative building techniques that are anchored in regional materials and cultural backgrounds by learning how people interact with their natural surroundings.
Lesley Lokko is a novelist, professor, and architect who is in charge of curating the 18th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia. The topic for the exhibition is The Laboratory of the Future. The curators they have chosen have also been revealed by other nations. Francelle Cane and Marija Mari have been chosen by Luxembourg to work on its pavilion’s project, which will help visitors better comprehend the planet’s resources and commons. The ARCH+ and Summacumfemmer Büro Juliane Greb, who have submitted the project named Open for Maintenance that addresses topics of repair, maintenance, and care, will curate the German pavilion.
More info on La Biennale di Venezia.
Source: Archdaily