Reflections on architecture

After two weeks of exhausting late nights with Andrew (a carpenter), Fergus (a joiner) and Billy (a stonemason) we can only hope it fits in the van...the moment of truth has arrived and after some encouragement it's in and we're on the road.

Its not until the boat leaves Newcastle that the reality of the trip ahead begins to hit us-only 1000 miles to go. We don't really have any expectations of the Biennale. All we know is it'll likely be hot, busy, we are looking forward to it and we'll need a boat.

So, I've been asked to write a blog charting our expectations and experiences of the Venice Bienalle 2012. No problem I thought in my haste...then I thought again - I don't keep a diary and don't often take photos so with the help of Gunnar and Murdo the following will be largely image/video based with the odd caption/comment.

CRITICAL DIALOGUES directed by Jonathan Charley is this year’s Scottish contribution to the Venice Biennale and showcases projects from four emerging practices (Do Architecture, Stone Opera, Pidgin Perfect  and ourselves) that explore the social role of the architect and the creative boundaries of architecture organised as a week long series of events within the public realm.

Our project - The Transient Gallery explores the significance of everyday architectural objects which create or enhance a sense of collective identity across the communities that use them.

In response to the theme of this year’s Venice Biennale, Common Ground the Gallery focuses attention on the historic wellheads located throughout the city, which were for centuries the only source of fresh drinking water in Venice.   These were an important daily meeting point where the Venetian people would exchange stories, gossip and news on a daily basis.  With the decommissioning of the wellheads and fresh water being available in private homes this valuable social aspect has been lost.  By highlighting the wells and celebrating their history we hope to encourage debate on the importance of similar shared functional objects in modern communities.

For more information on the Transient Gallery visit the GRAS blog.