2021

THE SEOUL BIENNALE OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM

Seoul, South Korea

“The exhibition design of the “Thematic” and the “Cities” exhibitions for the 2021 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism was envisaged as a landscape of an imagined city. The assemblage of installations is an invitation to a fluid stroll evoking an urban promenade through the different contributions of architects and artists from the entire world. Within this environment unfolding in the space of the Seoul Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a series of installations, or “Landmarks”, dubbed “Urban Ready Mades”, conceived as both meeting points, areas with seating and visual indicators, accompany the visitors as they make their way through the installations. At the intersection of design, installation art and signage, this proposition speaks to the city, the materials it is made of and our everyday relationship with design and its conventions. This biennale invites its visiting creators of the city to express themselves on the means to employ in building a resilient, more ecological, sustainable and inclusive city. While the question of insufficient housing is a central concern in our societies, the question of objects, which are after all essential to our homes, is raised far too infrequently. Yet, the question of design is central. However, we most probably do not lack objects. They reflect our lifestyles and patterns of consumption. But could design alone enable us to evolve our relationship with objects? While the theme of sustainability is penetrating every productive and economic sphere, what could design contribute?” Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost.