The interdisciplinary studio UNA/UNLESS has introduced a captivating blue pavilion during the collateral events of the 60th Venice Art Biennale. This triangular blue prism appears to have fallen from the heavens, landing elegantly in the Renaissance courtyard of Venice’s Accademia di Belle Arti. It acts as a temporary extension of the historic building, inviting visitors to explore its innovative design.
Within this striking structure, the pavilion hosts Swell of Spæcies, an intriguing, high-tech installation created by Cameroon-French artist Josèfa Ntjam. Commissioned by LAS Art Foundation, the installation challenges perceptions and engages the audience in a dialogue about art and technology, making the pavilion a must-see attraction during the Biennale.
The pavilion’s striking symmetrical and reflective surfaces conjure a captivating optical illusion after dark, giving the impression that it fades away, unveiling the hidden fourth loggia of the courtyard. This groundbreaking design engages in a dialogue with the historic architecture of the 16th century, playfully defying the city’s strict conservation laws.
In an effort to bridge the gap between the Venice Biennale and the vibrant local art community, the pavilion extends its embrace towards the loggias of the Accademia’s sculpture studios, all while maintaining a sense of privacy from the bustling courtyard. This thoughtful approach fosters essential connections, inviting a harmonious blend of contemporary art and historical context.
Within the UNA/UNLESS pavilion, a gracefully arched curtain captures the silhouette of a stone church that Jacopo Sansovino once envisioned, standing proudly on this site from 1565 until 1831. What was once the altar has transformed into a dynamic LED wall, showcasing the thought-provoking AI-generated animations of Josèfa Ntjam. These works challenge conventional narratives surrounding creation and the African diaspora, inviting viewers to reconsider their understanding of history and identity.
The atmosphere is further enriched by Fatima al Qadiri’s immersive soundscape, which, alongside Ntjam’s innovative sonic sculptures, replaces the haunting melodies that once filled the air, echoing the lives of syphilis patients at the Ospedale degli Incurabili within Sansovino’s church. This fusion of visual and auditory art creates a compelling dialogue, bridging the past with contemporary reflections on culture and experience.
The pavilion stands proudly, overlooking the shimmering expanse of the Venetian Lagoon, a powerful reminder of the urgent call for the arts to engage with the pressing environmental issues facing our planet. Its striking blue, undulating façade captures the essence of the ocean’s crucial role within the ecosystem, harmonizing beautifully with Ntjam’s creative vision. This innovative material, making its debut on such a monumental scale, reflects the fluidity and dynamism that permeate the exhibition’s satellite space at the CNR-ISMAR marine research center.
With its gaze fixed on the enchanting Venetian Lagoon, the pavilion embodies the critical necessity for the arts to tackle global environmental dilemmas. The captivating blue, wave-inspired exterior highlights the ocean’s indispensable function in our ecosystem, resonating deeply with Ntjam’s artistic perspective. This groundbreaking material, introduced for the first time on such an expansive level, also echoes the fluid concepts explored in the exhibition’s satellite venue at the CNR-ISMAR marine research center, where guests have the opportunity to craft AI plankton avatars.