YARAN ZHANG: Chinese Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale [ECR]

The Venice Biennale, established in 1895, is an international event influenced by geopolitical and cultural factors. Belgium was the first to build its national pavilion in 1907, leading to the construction of 25 pavilions in the Giardini. Due to space shortages, the Arsenale was used as an exhibition venue starting from 1980, the 1st Venice Architecture Biennale. China began to exhibit in its national pavilion in Venice, first at the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation during the Venice Art Biennale in 2003, and later at the Arsenale during the Venice Art and Architecture Biennale from 2005.

This presentation will provide an overview of the historical relationship between China and the Venice Biennale of Architecture and Art, with a particular focus on the Chinese national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale from 2006 to 2023. By examining the interplay between architectural exhibitions in the China Pavilion and their cultural representation, this research aims to highlight China’s use of exhibitions for diplomacy while addressing a knowledge gap from an architectural-historical perspective.

Yaran Zhang is a PhD candidate at the University of Manchester. She is also a researcher at the Manchester Architecture Research Group (MARG) within the Manchester Urban Institute. Her research interests encompass architectural exhibitions, the representation of architecture, and the intersection of cultural and political dimensions within the field of architecture. Before joining the University of Manchester, she received architectural training in China and the United States.

MCI’s ECR Workshops are lunchtime seminars held in person at the Manchester China Institute. They seek to bring together students, faculty, and staff who can best provide feedback as Early Career Researchers develop their ideas. Free lunch will be provided.

Host or Publisher The Manchester China Institute