Venice Architecture Biennale opens

The 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale opens on 7 June and I want to wish everyone involved with Australia’s exhibition every success.

The Australian Government provided $75,000 to the Australian Institute of Architects to support Australia’s presence in Italy.

The Venice Architecture Biennale—which also attracts designers, urban planners and developers—is arguably the most important event on the international contemporary architecture calendar. Australia’s exhibition Augmented Australia 1914-2014 will showcase the expertise of Australia’s architecture and design sector.

A key priority of the Australian Government’s support for the arts is to grow the international profile of Australian creative excellence. The prestigious Venice Architecture Biennale is an opportunity to highlight our nation’s design and technological ingenuity to a world-wide audience.

The Australian Pavilion in Venice is currently undergoing a major renovation and the $75,000 in funding provided by the Government was used to construct a temporary space to display Augmented Australia and to assist with exhibition logistics and promotion. I am pleased that the Institute has also been able to attract philanthropic, corporate, state and local government funding.

Perth-based architecture team felix._Giles_Anderson+Goad are the creative directors for the Augmented Australia presentation, which will bring to life 21 projects via smartphones. Once activated, the smartphone app becomes a portal to three-dimensional models, images and animations which enhance the experience of the exhibition for the visitor.

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for architects and it has managed Australia’s representation at the Venice Architecture Biennale since 2006.