The main programme of the second International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, which will be held from 26th May till 26th June, is known.
The first Biennale, curated by Francien Houben, had as theme Mobility. This biennale will be curated by landscape architect Adriaan Geuze and spotlight the relation between water and architecture in the Netherlands and around the world. The theme of the Biennale is ‘The
Flood’.
For one month there will be the exhibitions on show at Las Palmas and the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI) in Rotterdam. In addition, the Biennale will feature numerous conferences, lectures, excursions and a film programme. The event is intended to become a venue for an international exchange of expertise, historical knowledge and future visions that explore the advantages and disadvantages of living and working with water.
The exhibitions:
The Dutch WaterCity – 27 May till 26 June in Las Palmas, Wilhelminapier
An exhibition for models showing the past, present and future of typical
waterside towns in the Netherlands.
Mare Nostrum – 27 May till 26 June in Las Palmas
‘Mare Nostrum’ is an international and research-oriented exhibition concerning the rise of mass tourism, and its relation to the presence of water. Specifically it focuses on the coastlines of countries, in temperate and sub-tropical climates, that during the past centuries, decades or recent years have become a favourite destination for recreation and retreat. Architects the world over have been asked to analyze the development of their country’s coasts. In the exhibition they will present their findings and alternative proposals, for the coasts of Australia, Belgium, Brazil, the Caribbean, Croatia, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the Ukraine.
Polders – 27 May till 4 September at the NAi, Museumpark 25
The exhibition ‘Polders’ will present the past, present and future of fifteen polders with a series of new models as well as historical maps, prints, drawings and photographs. It spotlights not only the process of transformation of many well-known polders such as the Beemster (1608-1612), the Watergraafsmeer (1629), but also the planning challenge in less familiar areas such as the Borssele Polder (1616) and Zoetermeerse Meer Polder (1614).
Three Bays – 27 May till 4 September at the NAi
Amsterdam, Venice and Edo are three cities built by water on similar sites at the same moment in history. The geological situation of the natural bays has been drastically altered by the hand of man. The exposition shows how the IJ waterway in Amsterdam, the lagoon of Venice and the bay of Tokyo have evolved over four centuries. The exhibition highlights the striking similarities in the various stages of the development process.
Flow – 27 May till 4 September at the NAi
Flow presents a number of internationally selected projects by young offices and students that are experimenting with the relation between water and landscape.