Special event at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale

Really sustainable and other architectural fairytales

Special event at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale

 28 August 2012, Nordic Pavilion, 14.00 – 18.00

 Leading international architects, curators, critics and theorists meet to discuss contemporary architectural trajectories emerging out of Norway. Participants include Pritzker Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor, Belgian working collective Rotor, French independent magazine Criticat and architectural historian Joseph Rykwert. Taking up issues ranging from architectural representation and conservation to critical scholarship and environmental fatigue, the event meshes regional and international concerns to engage with architecture as an area of possibility, doubt and discussion.

 The event is organized by The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Norway), with support from The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Welcome: Nina Berre, Director of Architecture, The National Museum

 14.00 – 14.30, Arkitektur N magazine launches a new online review of contemporary architecture in Norway and abroad, giving you stories, thought-provoking discussions, extensive presentations and exclusive interviews: www.architecturenorway.no

 14.45 – 15.15, OCCAS-ion: The Oslo Centre for Critical Architectural Studies (OCCAS) and Artifice books on architecture release The Fragile Monument by Thordis Arrhenius, followed by a conversation between Joseph Rykwert, Duncan McCorquodale (Artifice books on architecture) and OCCAS scholars Thordis Arrhenius, Mari Lending and Jorge Otero Pailos (Columbia University) on the contemporary need for critical architectural scholarship and publications.

 15.30 – 16.30, Really Sustainable. How many times do you come across the term ‘sustainable’ in architectural discussions? The Oslo Architecture Triennale (OAT) team and curators present their ambitions and conceptual framework for OAT 2013, followed by an open discussion about architectural representation and sustainability-fatigue. Ingerid Helsing Almaas (Arkitektur N), Françoise Fromonot (Criticat), Maarten Gielen (Rotor) and international guests.

 17.00 – 18.00, Peter Zumthor. Zinc Mine Museum, Sauda and Steilneset Memorial, Vardø: Two projects for the Norwegian Tourist Routes.

 Moderator: Jérémie McGowan, Curator, The National Museum

 The event is part of the exhibition LIGHT HOUSES: ON THE NORDIC COMMON GROUND (29 August – 25 November 2012), curated by Peter MacKeith and organized by the Museum of Finnish Architecture in collaboration with The Swedish Museum of Architecture and The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.

 For further information: Jérémie McGowan,Curator, Department of Architecture,The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Norway), Telephone: +47 21 98 21 70 / +47 40 30 99 09, Email: jeremie.mcgowan@nasjonalmuseet.no