Milan, June 27, 2014 – The 14th International Architecture Exhibition “Time Space Existence” opened on 7 June 2014 at Palazzo Bembo and Palazzo Mora in Venice. The exhibition, an official part of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2014, displays the works of the University of the Philippines and the Filipino firm WTA Architecture and Design Studio, alongside that of other architects from around the world. The exhibit is open to the public until 23 November 2014 and housed in two palaces in Venice, namely Palazzo Bembo and Palazzo Mora.
The participation marks the first time that the Philippines, through an institutional delegation, joins the prestigious Venice Architecture Biennale, intended to pave the way for the country to participate officially in the next Biennale in 2016.
The Philippine delegation from the University of the Philippines was headed by Professor Jose Danilo Silvestre, with Dr. Gerard Rey Lico, Deputy head of delegation, Prof. Ruben David Defeo, artistic Director, Prof. Reynaldo Concepcion, graphic Director and Ms. Mary Delia Tomacruz.
The theme of the architecture biennale is Fundamentals which focuses on histories and elements of architecture used by architects. The Philippine exhibit shows the resiliency of the Filipino people in design structure that adapts to natural surrounding and environment. It features the Tacloban municipality hit by a strong typhoon in 1897 but was rebuilt by the people. A future diorama of what will Tacloban be after typhoon Haiyan was also featured in the exhibit.
Consul General Marichu Mauro met the Philippine delegation at the preview opening of the exhibit on 5 June at Palazzo Mora. (PCG – Milan)
