The Open Call for Curatorial Proposals for Philippine participation at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale has culminated in the selection of “Soil-beings (Lamánlupa)” by curator Renan Laru-an, featuring the work of Christian Tenefrancia Illi.
The rigorous deliberation process on May 30, 2024, was overseen by a distinguished panel of jurors. The panel included Peter Cachola Schmal, architect, architecture critic, and Director of the German Architecture Museum (DAM) in Frankfurt; Edson G. Cabalfin, Ph.D., curator of the Philippine Pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2018, and an esteemed architect, designer, and historian; Yael Buencamino Borromeo, co-curator of the Philippine Pavilion at the Biennale Arte 2022 and consultant of the Lopez Museum in Manila; Victorino Mapa Manalo, Chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Commissioner of the Philippine Pavilion; and Senator Loren Legarda, the project principal and visionary behind the Philippines’ participation at the Venice Art and Architecture Biennale since 2015.
The jury described the exhibition as “provocative, and has the potential for universal resonance.” Rooted in the rich soils of the Philippines, “Soil-beings (Lamánlupa)” honors soil as the central element of architectural understanding. It immerses architectural ambitions and technologies in the texture, acidity, fragrance, and inherent messiness of soil, promoting “soilness” as a lived, cyclical experience.
The facilitation of the selection process was led by Dr. Patrick Flores, educator, curator, and Deputy Director at National Gallery Singapore.
Senator Loren Legarda, a fervent advocate for Philippine arts and culture, and the visionary behind the Philippines’ participation in the Venice Biennale, stated, “This year’s submissions have shown an incredible depth of creativity and insight. The selected proposal not only represents the ingenuity of Filipinos but provokes dialogues on global challenges and the future of architecture.”
Victorino Manalo, Chair of the NCCA and Commissioner of the Philippine Pavilion, emphasized the significance of the event: “Being at the Venice Biennale once again gives the Philippines another remarkable opportunity to showcase its immense talent and creative vision. This significant platform allows us to present the innovative and thought-provoking work of our architects and creatives in a wider discussion space.”
Renan Laru-an is the artistic director of SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin since 2023, a leading independent contemporary artistic institution in Germany. He has an extensive background in curating significant exhibitions, including the 2022 Biennale Matter of Art, the 2019 Singapore Biennale, and was a curatorial advisor to the 58th Carnegie International between 2021 and 2022. He has contributed significantly to contemporary art discourse as a writer and editor, with notable publications including “Meridians of Region: Writing Art History and Curating Contemporary Culture in the Philippines and Taiwan.” Renan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Christian Tenefrancia Illi is a German-Filipino multidisciplinary artist and creative director who has studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich. He has received numerous scholarships and awards, including the 1st jury prize in the Europe-wide EDGE East Side Competition (2021) and the 2nd prize in the international Art in Architecture competition (2022) in Berlin. Christian is the co-founder and director of KIM/ILLI, an innovative studio working across art, architecture, and design. His work has been exhibited internationally, with recent displays at the Japanisches Palais, part of the Dresden State Art Collections.
The sustained participation of the Philippines in the Venice Biennale is a collaborative undertaking involving the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.
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