Concert Hall goes to Venice

Iceland takes part in the International Architecture Exhibition for the first time. The Venice Biennale is not exactly a small event. In fact, it is one of the most important gatherings of artists, musicians and all manner of cultural types anywhere in the world. The Venice Biennale has for over a century been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, as the event organizers proudly remind us.

It was Goethe who once famously said, Architecture is frozen music. He is not alone in thinking that the buildings around us can be an important art form in their own right. And it is for precisely this reason that the Biennale finds space to showcase some of the worlds most exciting new building projects. Now in its tenth run, Venices International Architecture Exhibition is an opportunity for nations to showcase their most exciting architectural talent.

Iceland has never before been represented at the exhibition but this year is different. With the creation of Reykjavíks new harbourside opera house and conference centre in its late planning stages, too much time, money and pride have been poured into the project not to show it off in front of the world!

The building is designed by one of contemporary arts favourite sons, the Icelander, Ólafur Elíasson and the practicalities are being taken care of by Portus Group, in partnership with the government. Early this summer, Portus Groups Þórhallur Vilhjálmsson received a phone call from the designer. Ólafur Elíasson called to say it would be a good idea to launch it [the concert hall] early in Venice, he says. Because its the hub of ideas in the whole architectural world.

Securing support from the Icelandic government and the city council, Þórhallur could begin the awesome challenge of creating a national pavilion in just two months. Other countries had been preparing for years, he says. Then, with a chuckle, But thats just the Icelandic way!

The countries that have frequented the architecture exhibition since the beginning tend to use the same pavilions time after time, and have thus monopolized the main Giardini Park.

This poses a problem for newcomers like Iceland, who have to create their pavilions elsewhere on this point, luck seems to have played an important part. Þórhallur was able to secure a site on the grounds of an old orphanage, on a busy pedestrian route, near the Piazza San Marco and directly behind the spectacular church of Vivaldi, Santa Maria della Pietà.

Þórhallur is jubilant on two counts. To launch a new music hall there is great, because Vivaldi had such strong links to the church. And also, our location means that people cant miss us. According to Þórhallur, its favourable location means that the Icelandic pavilion is attracting more visitors and more media attention than many of the exhibitors in the main Giardini. The Icelandic pavilion in Venice is open until the 19th October, and the Icelandic National Concert & Conference Centre is due to open in spring 2010.

For more information on the Venice Biennale, go to www.labiennale.org/en

text by Alex Elliott