Venice Biennale 2012: Awards ceremony, big winners: Alvaro Siza, Japan and Urban Think Tank

Toyo Ito, curator of the Japan Pavilion, winner of the Golden Lion for the National Pavilions

A few minutes ago we attended to the awards ceremony at the Biennale, after which it opened officially to the public (until Nov 25th).

David Chipperfield, director of the 13th Biennale, and Paolo Baratta, president of the Biennale, presented the awards for Lifetime Achievement, National Participations and International Participations.

The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement was already announced, and it went to Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza. Alvaro couldn’t attend the ceremony due to a broken arm, so Ines Lobo, curator of the Portuguese pavilion, accepted the award on his behalf.

Urban Think Tank and Justin McGuirk, Golden Lion for International Exhibition

For the National pavilions, the jury decided to give three mentions: Poland, Russia and USA. The Golden Lion was awarded to the Japan Pavilion, with the exhibit “Architecture, possible here? Home-for-All” curated by Toyo Ito, with the participation of Kumiko Inui, Sou Fujimoto, Akihisa Hirata and Naoya Hatakeyama. Toyo Ito dedicated the award to the victims of the tsunami.

As for the International Exhibitions, the special mention went to Cino Zucchi, the Silver Lion to Grafton Architects, and the Golden Lion to “Torre David / Gran Horizonte”, the installation by Urban-Think Tank, Justin McGuirk and Iwan Baan.

More photos after the break.

David Chipperfield and Paolo Baratta
Ines Lobo, curator of the Portugal Pavilion, accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on behalf of Alvaro Siza who couldn’t attend to the ceremony
Ines Lobo, curator of the Portugal Pavilion, accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on behalf of Alvaro Siza who couldn’t attend to the ceremony
The jury of the Biennale: Kristin Feireiss, Benedetta Tagliabue, Wiel Arets, and Alan Yentob (Robert Stern was not present).
Michal Libera, curator of the Porland Pavilion, which received a special mention
Sergei Tchoban, curator of the Russia Pavilion, which received a special mention
Sergei Tchoban, curator of the Russia Pavilion, which received a special mention
Cathy Lang Ho, curator of the USA Pavilion, which received a special mention
Toyo Ito, curator of the Japan Pavilion, winner of the Golden Lion for the National Pavilions
Toyo Ito, curator of the Japan Pavilion, winner of the Golden Lion for the National Pavilions
Toyo Ito, curator of the Japan Pavilion, winner of the Golden Lion for the National Pavilions
Cino Zucchi, Special Mention for International Exhibition
Cino Zucchi, Special Mention for International Exhibition
Grafton Architects, Silver Lion for International Exhibition
Urban Think Tank and Justin McGuirk, Golden Lion for International Exhibition
Urban Think Tank and Justin McGuirk, Golden Lion for International Exhibition
Urban Think Tank and Justin McGuirk, Golden Lion for International Exhibition
Cite: Basulto , David. "Venice Biennale 2012: Awards ceremony, big winners: Alvaro Siza, Japan and Urban Think Tank" 29 Aug 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 20 Jun 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/268392>

1 comment

Share your thoughts