The Greek architectural firm doxiadis + has been invited by the curator Hashim Sarkis to exhibit in the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, among other leaders in the field, in the Arsenale section namely the international part of the exhibition, at which the most innovative participants are invited to create the most “out of the box” ideas and trends in the field of Design and Architecture. The exhibition will be held from May 22 till November 21, 2021.
Entangled Kingdoms by doxiadis+ addresses the theme of this year’s Biennale, “How will we live together?”, highlighting the importance of the Symbiosis of Species by creating the first garden in the world composed of fungi (funghi).
-text by the authors
doxiadis+, the Greek Architectural and Landscape practice, responds to “How will we live together?” the theme of the 17th Architecture Bienalle – la Bienalle di Venezia curated by Hashim Sarkis. “Entangled Kingdoms” highlights the importance of the Symbiosis between species as a sine qua non condition for the survival and future prosperity of our planet.
Heralded by the phrase “Without me you don’t exist”, the exhibit focuses on a glowing fungal garden. Fungi, the kingdom between plants and animals, are the unsung heroes of the web of life. They are a creator, a facilitator, a decomposer. And they are simply everywhere.
doxiadis+ experimented for over a year on the creation of this fungal garden, possibly the first of its kind. The fungal spores were collected from the two rooms given by the Biennale to the practice, propagated in the mycology department of Athens University, and grown under different conditions until a result was reached “which would show the beauty of what is around us but we do not see”. The exhibit promotes the message that in order for all of us to live and thrive we need to understand that “We are only alive due to the web of life on Earth, to the subtle and constant exchanges between all living organisms”.
Regarding the participation in the Biennale, Thomas Doxiadis, founder of doxiadis +, states: “The message of Entangled Kingdoms comes at a time when everyone is concerned about the effects of Climate Change and its association with the pandemic. Forming Symbiosis is the focus of doxiadis+, as we firmly believe that in order for us all to survive and to thrive, we need to understand that “We are only alive due to the web of life on Earth, to the subtle and constant exchanges between all living organisms”.
Mini Bio
doxiadis + is considered one of the most prominent and pioneering architectural and landscape architecture offices in Greece. For more than 20 years, doxiadis + creates projects based on the philosophy of human coexistence with nature (forming symbiosis), combining the legacy of Greek classical thought with the pioneering ideas of today.
Founded in 1999 by Thomas Doxiadis, Architect-Landscape Architect ASLA, B.A. MArch, MLA Harvard University, the office undertakes Architecture and Landscape Architecture projects. With a core value of respect for the natural environment, the company is active in issues such as climate change where it works in the “LIFE-IP AdaptInGR – Boosting the implementation of adaptation policy across Greece” to adapt Greece to the effects of climate change.
The office’s competitive advantage is the international level of know-how in complex projects that require interdisciplinary cooperation in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and landscape protection, focusing on the principle of Symbiosis, which in addition to the excellent technical implementation includes high quality design with ecological design.
Facts & Credits
Project title Entangled Kingdoms
Typology Exhibition, 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
Location Arsenale — La Biennale di Venezia
Architectural firm doxiadis+ | Architects and Landscape Architects
Team Thomas Doxiadis, Marina Antsaklis, Despoina Gkirti, Eva Beristianou, Angeliki Mathioudaki, Ioanna Potiriadi, Alexandra Souvatzi
Collaborators
Zacharoula Gonou-Zagou – Mycologist, Scientific Collaborator
Julia Pitts – Exhibition Interpretation Consultant
Alkestie Skarlatou – Lighting Designer
Peter Aslanidis – Sound Design, Composer, mixing
Kostas Linoxylakis – Sound, mixing
Lars Ohlendorf – Sound, assistance, sourcing
Helliniki Meletitiki – Structural Engineer
Cathy Cunliffe – Photographer
Lefteris Laxouvaris – Mycologist, Mushroom Supplier
Sponsors OLIAROS SA, Consolidated Contractors Company, Agriturismo Casetta
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